the effect of climate change on mountain pine beetle (dendroctonus ponderosae hopkins) in western canada
abstract
the mountain pine beetle, dendroctonus ponderosae, (mpb) is the largest forest
disturbance factor throughout its range in north america. the most recent mpb
outbreak began in the 1990s and has resulted in an approximate loss of 723 million
cubic meters of timber. the current global warming trends have seen global
temperatures increase by approximately 1°c and are forecasted to rise by an additional
0.5-1.5°c over the preceding decades. these temperature increases are having a large
impact on the mpb range, biology, and physiology. the range of mpb has expanded
significantly in recent decades and is forecasted to continue to increase significantly in
all directions as well as an increase in elevation. with further climate warming, there is
a possibility of the mpb invading the boreal forest and using jack pine as host trees.
mpb oviposition time, development, and winter survivability rates have been altered
due to rising temperatures.
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