Canadian Journal of Forest Research

26 September 2011 --  

Ottawa, Canada – September 26, 2011. A study published today in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research (CJFR) predicts the influence of climate change on future outbreaks of spruce budworm, one of the most destructive native insects of spruce and fir trees in Canada. During a major outbreak, tens of millions of hectares of trees can be severely defoliated by this insect and the damage can result in significant losses of timber resources as well as increased wildfire risk. The last significant outbreak in Ontario occurred from 1967 to 1998. 

“The spruce budworm is present in every province and territory and its outbreaks have always been more extensive than those of any other insect species in Canada,” explained Richard Fleming and Jean-Noel Candau of the Canadian Forest Service, co-authors of the study. “We examined historical records from Ontario to determine how spruce budworm outbreaks have responded to climate in the past. We used this information and future climate predictions to forecast future outbreak characteristics. Outbreaks were projected to be less extensive in the south and generally of slightly shorter duration, but covered up to 26% more area overall by extending much further north than they would have done in 20th century climates.”

“Climate change is causing uncertainty in the management of forest resources and coupled with disturbances such as insect outbreaks it is critical that tools be developed to provide us with insights into possible futures,” said Dr. Daniel Kneeshaw, Editor of CJFR. “A new spruce budworm outbreak, which has currently defoliated more than 750 000 hectares  in Quebec and  the north eastern part of its range, could affect regions previously unaffected in at least the last two centuries. Climate change forecasts, as presented by Candau and Fleming in the October 2011 issue of CJFR, provide critical information for resource managers who witnessed timber losses across millions of square kilometres of forest land during the last outbreak.”

Available today this article published in the Canadian Journal of Forest Research can be found online at http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full/10.1139/x11-134

For more information on the spruce budworm: http://canadaforests.nrcan.gc.ca/indicator/sprucebudworm

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About the journal
Published since 1971, the Canadian Journal of Forest Research is highly respected monthly journal featuring articles, reviews, notes, and commentaries on all aspects of forest science. The Canadian Journal of Forest Research has been recognized as one of the top 100 most influential journals the last 100 years as voted by the BioMedical & Life Sciences Division of the Special Libraries Association.

Full reference
Candau, J.-N. and Fleming, R. 2011. Forecasting the response of spruce budworm defoliation to climate change in Ontario. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 41(10): 1948–1960. DOI: 10.1139/x11-134.

For more information, contact:
Author: Jean-Noel Candau
Email: Jean-Noel.Candau@nrcan.gc.ca
Phone: 705-541-5759

About the Publisher
NRC Research Press, previously the publishing arm of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) since 1929, transitioned in September 2010 from NRC and the Federal Government of Canada into an independent not-for-profit organization operating under the new name Canadian Science Publishing. Canadian Science Publishing (which continues to operate under the brand NRC Research Press) is the foremost scientific publisher in Canada and one of the most advanced electronic publishing services in the world. With over 50 highly skilled experts and an editorial team comprising some of the world’s leading researchers, NRC Research Press (Canadian Science Publishing) communicates scientific discoveries to over 175 countries.

Disclaimer
Canadian Science Publishing operates under the brand NRC Research Press but is not affiliated with the National Research Council Canada. Papers published by Canadian Science Publishing are peer-reviewed by experts in their field. The views of the authors in no way reflect the opinions of Canadian Science Publishing or the National Research Council of Canada. Requests for commentary about the contents of any study or review should be directed to the authors.