At the 2012 Mountain Pine Beetle Ecology Program workshop, hosted by the Foothills Research Institute, Kathy Lewis presents details of a UNBC research program looking at how trees behave once killed by the mountain pine beetle. The "shelf-life" of trees, or the post-mortality rate of decay, was examined in stands in BC and Alberta. The goal of the research is to produce a regression model of some type to help others understand the process.
Research details are reviewed, including sampling and testing, and the differences in each stage for BC and Alberta locations.
Results indicate that trees stand for at least 6 years after they die. Analysis so far shows similar trends in degredation in both provinces, with some notable differences. Most changes to the tree happen in the first two years after death.
Kathy Lewis is a professor at the University of Northern British Columbia.
