Chapter 5 – Detection, Mapping, and Monitoring of the Mountain Pine Beetle 123 Chapter 5 Detection, Mapping, and Monitoring

Forest management decisions regarding the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopk. [Coleoptera: Scolytidae]) are generally driven by the location, size, and impact of the beetle population, and a variety of survey techniques are used to collect this information. The methodology used and the scale (level of detail) of the survey are determined by the management objectives. The survey may be done on a tree-by-tree basis on the ground, from an airborne platform, or with satellite-based sensors. As a result, the extent of the survey may range from a few hectares to millions of hectares. This chapter reviews the tools and approaches available to forest managers for the detection, mapping, and monitoring of mountain pine beetle. The information content and limitations associated with each survey method are provided to facilitate informed choices between available survey methods and information sources. Also presented in this chapter is the concept of an information hierarchy, whereby multiple sets of survey data may be nested for any given area of interest. For example, a lower-cost overview survey may be used to guide the selection of locations requiring more intensive (and more expensive) surveys