Phytoecological impacts and management implications of the Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth near Kamloops, British Columbia

Seven outbreaks of Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia pseudotsugata McDunnough, have recurred in the interior of British Columbia since 1915. But little is known about their impacts on renewable resources in affected stands. A study was undertaken to examine effects of the most recent outbreak on understory vegetation and tree productivity near Kamloops, British Columbia. Dry weight forage production was sampled from 1m² circular plots under various levels of stand crown cover (0-96%) and density (0-45.9m²/ha), as modified by defoliation. Crown cover was determined using a moosehorn, and from vertical photographs obtained with a 160° lens mounted on a conventional camera. Stand density was determined using a 20 factor prism. Increment cores were obtained at breast height, and radial growth analysed under the Addo-X. Ring width behaviour was compared with occurrence of past outbreaks. The ecological literature on 0. pseudotsugata was reviewed. Negligible amounts of forage were obtained from many plots with undefoliated trees. In defoliated plots with live trees, total forage production ranged from 0.0 under 96% crown cover and 45.9 m²/ha density to 648.9 kg/ha under 50% crown cover and 16.0 m²/ha density. The average yield in small openings was 3667.4 kg/ha. High variability was evident. In one stand, two years following its defoliation and consequent death, total forage yields exceeded those from nearby small openings. Forage yield data were described better by logarithmic models than by hyperbolic ones, at 95% probability. Impacts on tree growth were not demonstrable one year following defoliation. Many trees recovered even from complete defoliation. Insect outbreaks and periods of slow tree growth coincided, but quite inconsistently. Apparently, most scattered infestation patches develop independently of each other. Grazing values should increase in seriously defoliated stands even without range seeding. On poor sites and in stands managed primarily for forage production, outbreaks of 0. pseudotsugata may be left alone without necessarily endangering remote stands. Selective control favoring better sites managed for tree production should improve efficiency of investing scarce funds in protection of the inventory. Tree growth and insect outbreaks may be under the influence of some regional climatic factor, but local factors are also important. A need remains for long term impact studies on tree growth, forage yield and nutrient status, and other resources.Forestry, Faculty ofGraduat