Survey for balsam woolly adelgid in Washington and Oregon

10 Pages·2002·2 MB·English

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

WEST COAST FOREST HEALTH MONITORING
EVALUATION MONITORING PROJECT
Survey for
Balsam Woolly Adelgid
in Washington and Oregon
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BALSAM WOOLLY ADELGID
alsam woolly adelgid
Baas is an intro-
duced insect that has
had a significant impact
on Abies tree species in
the Pacific Northwest.
During the late 1950s
and 1960s, it caused
extensive mortality of
grand fir (A. grandis),
subalpine fir (A.
lasiocarpa), and silver
Adult BWA
fir (A. amabilis),
particularly in the Cascade Range. This insect
also affects tree growth and reproduction,
potentially decreasing host regeneration and
the role of the host tree in local ecosystems.
Heavy stem
infestation
by BWA.
Branch
gouting
(swelling)
caused by
BWA.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this project was to:
> Conduct a ground survey of host type in
Washington and Oregon to confirm the occur-
rence and distribution of BWA to supplement
aerial survey detection.
> Determine the effects of BWA on host species
and changes in local ecosystems from ground
survey data and long-term plots.
p» Determine if existing parameters for BWA
occurrence and risk still describe the situa-
tion today.
p Explore opportunities for adapting the survey
protocol for use in monitoring effects of
other introduced species.
Retired USDA Forest Service researcher
Russ Mitchell examines fir for BWA on
a long-term impact plot.
METHODS
In 1998, an occurrence/risk map was produced
by using previous aerial survey data and research
that described susceptible stand characteristics.
Seven remaining long-term impact plots and
photo points from the 1960s were relocated
and remeasured or rephotographed.
From 1998 to 2000, a total of 1,038 ground sur-
vey plots throughout the host type were visited.
The following data were collected on each plot:
location, elevation, species, tree size, BWA symp-
toms, land use, tree structure, species contri-
bution, and site description. Plot location was
recorded in a geographic information system.
Additional plots will be visited in subsequent
years.
Balsam Woolly Adelgid
Ground Survey Plots 1998-2000
@ BWA present
@ BWA not present

RESULTS
Long-Term Impact Plots:4
e Tree damage was most severe in the first
decade of the BWA outbreak.
¢ The environment plays a significant role;
higher mortality occurs on wet sites and
at lower elevations.
¢ Host species have unique responses. Shasta
(A. magnifica) and red fir (A. procera) have
considerable resistance at high elevations;
subalpine fir is susceptible at all locations.
e Grand fir is being eliminated from low-ele-
vation landscapes in the Willamette Valley,
the Puget Sound trough, and along coastal
streams.
¢ Subalpine fir is being removed as a pioneer
species in important mountain environ-
ments such as alpine meadows, avalanche
tracks, and old lava beds.
Ground Survey:
¢ Data were collected on 1,038 ground plots.
¢ About 44 percent of all survey plots was
infested with BWA.
Full findings for the ground survey will be
published following additional data collection
and analysis. Findings for the long-term impact
plots have been published:
Mitchell, R.; Buffam, P. 2001. Patterns of
long-term balsam woolly adelgid infestations
and effects in Oregon and Washington. Journal
of Applied Forestry. 16(3): 121-126.
’ Because the number of long-term impact plots was small
(seven), conclusions drawn from those data may be differ-
ent from the eventual results of the more extensive ground
survey.
Progression of BWA
impacts on subalpine
fir in a riparian area.
TOP LEFT: First wave of
BWA in 1965. ABOVE:
Almost all subalpine fir
killed by 1968. LEFT: Stand
dominated by spruce, with
no subalpine fir remaining
in 1998.
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Project Investigators
IRAL RAGENOVICH, BETH WILLHITE,
RUSSELL MITCHELL* |
USDA Forest Service
DAVE OVERHULSER 1022494621
Oregon Department of Forestry
NALAIGTBRRIIAOCRNU ALLT URAL
KAREN RIPLEY
Washington Department of Natural
Resources
*Mitchell is retired.
Published by:
PACIFIC NORTHWEST RESEARCH STATION
USDA Forest Service
Forestry Sciences Laboratory
P.O. Box 3890
Portland, OR 97208-3890
503-808-2000
www. fs.fed.us/pnw/
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