Carbon balance of a partially harvested mixed conifer forest following mountain pine beetle attack and its comparison to a clear-cut

Abstract. The recent mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreak has had an impact on the carbon (C) cycling of lodgepole pine forests in British Columbia. This study examines how partial harvesting as a forest management response to MPB infestation affects the net ecosystem production (NEP) of a mixed conifer forest (MPB-09) in Interior BC. MPB-09 is a 70-year-old stand that was partially harvested in 2009 after it had been attacked by MPB. Using the eddy-covariance technique, the C dynamics of the stand were studied over two years and compared to an adjacent clear-cut (MPB-09C) over the summertime. The annual NEP at MPB-09 increased from −108 g C m−2 in 2010 to −57 g C m−2 in 2011. The increase of NEP was due to the associated increase in annual gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP) from 812 g C m−2 in 2010 to 954 g C m−2 in 2011, exceeding the increase in annual respiration (Re) from 920 g C m−2 to 1011 g C m−2 during the two years. During the four month period between June and September 2010, NEP at MPB-09C was −103 g C m−2, indicating high C losses in the clear-cut. MPB-09 was a C sink during the growing season of both years, increasing from 9 g C m−2 in 2010 to 47 g C m−2 in 2011. The increase of NEP in the partially harvested stand amounted to a recovery corresponding to a 26% increase in the maximum assimilation rate in the second year. This study shows that retaining the healthy residual forest can result in higher C sequestration of MPB-attacked stands compared to clear-cut harvesting.

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Carbon balance of a partially-harvested mixed conifer forest following mountain pine beetle attack and its comparison to a clearcut

Biogeosciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/bgd-10-4927-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 4927-4968 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A. Mathys ◽

T. A. Black ◽

Z. Nesic ◽

G. Nishio ◽

M. Brown ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mountain Pine Beetle ◽

Growing Season ◽

C Sequestration ◽

Conifer Forest ◽

Mixed Conifer ◽

Mountain Pine ◽

Mixed Conifer Forest ◽

Partial Harvesting ◽

Pine Beetle ◽

Gross Ecosystem Photosynthesis

Abstract. The recent mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreak has had an impact on the carbon (C) cycling of lodgepole pine forests in British Columbia. This study examines how partial harvesting as a forest management response to MPB infestation affects the net ecosystem production (NEP) of a mixed conifer forest (MPB-09) in Interior BC. MPB-09 is a 70-yr old stand that was partially harvested in 2009 after it had been attacked by MPB. Using the eddy-covariance technique, the C dynamics of the stand were studied over two years and compared to an adjacent clearcut (MPB-09C) over the growing season. The annual NEP at MPB-09 increased from −108 g C m−2 in 2010 to −57 g C m−2 in 2011. The increase of NEP was due to the associated increase in annual gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP) from 812 g C m−2 in 2010 to 954 g C m−2 in 2011 exceeding the increase in annual respiration (Re) from 920 g C m−2 to 1011 g C m−2 during the two years. During the growing season of 2010, NEP at MPB-09C was −132 g C m−2 indicating high C losses in the clearcut. MPB-09 was a C sink during the growing season of both years, increasing from 9 g C m−2 in 2010 to 47 g C m−2 in 2011. The increase of NEP in the partially-harvested stand amounted to a recovery corresponding to a 25% increase in the maximum assimilation rate in the second year. This study shows that retaining the healthy residual forest can result in higher C sequestration of MPB-attacked stands compared to clearcut harvesting.

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Thirty year change in lodgepole and lodgepole/mixed conifer forest structure following 1980s mountain pine beetle outbreak in western Colorado, USA

Forest Ecology and Management ◽

10.1016/j.foreco.2012.05.032 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 280 ◽

pp. 93-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Kristen A. Pelz ◽

Frederick W. Smith

Keyword(s):

Forest Structure ◽

Mountain Pine Beetle ◽

Conifer Forest ◽

Mixed Conifer ◽

Mountain Pine ◽

Mixed Conifer Forest ◽

Pine Beetle ◽

Western Colorado

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Productivity and Cost of Partial Harvesting Method to Control Mountain Pine Beetle Infestations in British Columbia

Western Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/wjaf/20.2.128 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 128-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Han-Sup Han ◽

Chad Renzie

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

Pinus Contorta ◽

Mountain Pine Beetle ◽

Total Delay ◽

Total Cost ◽

Mountain Pine ◽

Partial Harvesting ◽

Pine Beetle ◽

Harvesting Method ◽

The Cost

Abstract Small patch cutting (<1 ha in size) in mature lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas var. latifolia Engelmann) stands has been introduced in central British Columbia, Canada to slow the spread of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopk.) populations. This practice is locally referred to as “Snip and Skid” logging. This article addresses the operational challenges of implementing the method, with an emphasis on the cost of each phase of logging. Total stump-to-truck expenses incurred with Snip and Skid logging in each patch at an average of C$17.00/m3 (C$14.98 to C$19.71/m3). However, if one includes other cost allowances, such as overhead and profit for the logging contractor, the overall cost is C$22.28/m3. These costs greatly increase when trees are smaller. Other costs for implementing the Snip and Skid method, such as planning and layout, ground probing, and baiting, further increase the total cost of implementation. Walking and low-bedding, that are not required for typical timber-production logging operations, accounted for 57% of the total delay in Snip and Skid logging. In this particular study, five trees were damaged per 100 m along the skid trails created to access the patches, but we found no high stumps or significant impacts on soils. West. J. Appl. For. 20(2):128–133.

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