FORREX Forum for Research and Extension in Natural Resources


Program Summary \| News & Events \| Projects & Publications \| Links \| Contact Us \| Workshop Presentations Pine Beetle and Wildlife Trees In The Okanagan-Similkameen Workshop March 26-27, 2008, Penticton, BC Workshop Presentations The resource and ecological fallout of the pine beetle infestation is enormous. While all attention is focussed on the lodgepole pine forests of the Central Interior, pine beetles (both Western and Mountain) are now attacking the ponderosa pine (Py) forests of the Southern Interior. Although ponderosa pine forests are of limited extent and poor commercial value, they host remarkably high biodiversity values, as well as a suite of endangered species. The federally listed white-headed woodpecker, found only in the South Okanagan-Similkameen, is totally dependent on old-growth Py snags for cavity nesting, and on Py seeds for food. Several other bird species at risk, including the flammulated owl, Lewis’ woodpecker, pygmy nuthatch, Williamson’s sapsucker, and Cassin’s finch, preferentially use ponderosa pine snags for nesting. Early highgrade logging in the Okanagan-Similkameen valleys removed many of the large veteran trees preferred by cavity nesters and raptors. Subsequent fire suppression created overly dense forests, eliminating the semi-open habitat many of these species prefer. And now the pine beetle will bring its own set of effects to these unique dry, low-elevation forests, and that was what the 45 workshop participants met in Penticton to discuss. Workshop Summary [PDF - 23 KB] Ponderosa Pine Ecosystems: Bark Beetles, Humans and Wildlife Trees [PDF - 2,751 KB] Mike Fenger Wildlife Trees of the Okanagan-Similkameen and the Species that Depend on Them [PDF - 3,887 KB] Lisa Scott Pine Beetle in the Okanagan Shuswap Forest District [PDF - 5,508 KB] Heather Rice Biodiversity Maintenance and Conservation in Post-epidemic MPB Forests in Interior BC [PDF - 1,768 KB] Kathy Martin, Mark Drever, and Andrea Norris A Landscape Overview of MPB/WPB and Ponderosa pine Occurrences [PDF - 966 KB] Fred Marshall South Okanagan Similkameen Pine Beetle Outreach Pilot Project [PDF - 1,130 KB] Ellen Simmons

Pine Beetle and Wildlife Trees In The Okanagan-Similkameen Workshop
March 26-27, 2008, Penticton, BC
Workshop Presentations
The resource and ecological fallout of the pine beetle infestation is enormous. While all attention is focussed on the lodgepole pine forests of the Central Interior, pine beetles (both Western and Mountain) are now attacking the ponderosa pine (Py) forests of the Southern Interior. Although ponderosa pine forests are of limited extent and poor commercial value, they host remarkably high biodiversity values, as well as a suite of endangered species. The federally listed white-headed woodpecker, found only in the South Okanagan-Similkameen, is totally dependent on old-growth Py snags for cavity nesting, and on Py seeds for food. Several other bird species at risk, including the flammulated owl, Lewis’ woodpecker, pygmy nuthatch, Williamson’s sapsucker, and Cassin’s finch, preferentially use ponderosa pine snags for nesting.

Early highgrade logging in the Okanagan-Similkameen valleys removed many of the large veteran trees preferred by cavity nesters and raptors. Subsequent fire suppression created overly dense forests, eliminating the semi-open habitat many of these species prefer. And now the pine beetle will bring its own set of effects to these unique dry, low-elevation forests, and that was what the 45 workshop participants met in Penticton to discuss.

Workshop Summary [PDF - 23 KB]

Ponderosa Pine Ecosystems: Bark Beetles, Humans and Wildlife Trees [PDF - 2,751 KB]
Mike Fenger

Wildlife Trees of the Okanagan-Similkameen and the Species that Depend on Them [PDF - 3,887 KB]
Lisa Scott

Pine Beetle in the Okanagan Shuswap Forest District [PDF - 5,508 KB]
Heather Rice

Biodiversity Maintenance and Conservation in Post-epidemic MPB Forests in Interior BC [PDF - 1,768 KB]
Kathy Martin, Mark Drever, and Andrea Norris

A Landscape Overview of MPB/WPB and Ponderosa pine Occurrences [PDF - 966 KB]
Fred Marshall

South Okanagan Similkameen Pine Beetle Outreach Pilot Project [PDF - 1,130 KB]
Ellen Simmons