At the 2012 Mountain Pine Beetle Ecology Program workshop, hosted by the Foothills Research Institute, Kathy Bleiker discusses some ongoing research related to temperature and climate and their relationship to mountain pine beetle outbreaks and spread. Climate and weather have played a significant role in the historic range of MPB, particularly related to the -40 isoclime. Increasing areas of suitable habitat are emerging as the climate warms. Other factors are the distribution of suitable trees, dispersal abilities of the insects and interactions with other species.
The current research project covers sites in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Monitoring is being done related to temperature, time of attack, cold tolerance and other factors.
Kathy Bleiker is Research Scientist and Greg Smith is Forestry Officer, both with the Bark Beetle Ecology program of the Pacific Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service.
