Use of Supplemental Watering as a Mitigation of Dendroctonus Ponderosae Infestation

Overview

The endemic Dendroctonus ponderosae, or Mountain Pine Beetle, has long been present in the coniferous forests of the western United States. However, this species has begun to reproduce at exponential rates due to elongated warm periods in the west caused by climate change. The beetle is now extremely harmful to these forests as they ravage tree stands by boring holes into the phloem of the host in order to lay their egg galeries. This penetration weakens the defense system of the tree and if performed enough times, will ultimately kill the tree. Commonly used methods of treatment against D. ponderosae attack include: semiochemical pouches such as Verbenone and costly insecticides that can have adverse effects on the ecosystem when they reach nearby waterways. A field study was conducted in Larimer County, Colorado to investigate the potential of using supplemental watering as a mitigation technique to strengthen the natural chemical resin defense of the tree against the D. ponderosae. Experimentation involved a statistical exploration of a possible correlation between the mortality rate and bore hole density of trees affected by the D. Ponderosae with close proximity to streams, in comparison to the mortality rate of affected trees with no nearby water source. Tree mortality was determined to be significantly correlated to distance from the water table when subjected to a series of linear regression correlation analyses. Additionally, resin duct density illustrated insignificance when subjected to a correlation test with vertical distance from the water table; therefore, genetic variance of tree species is an undefining factor in resistance against D. ponderosae. Conclusively, this research is the first of its kind to explore, experimentally, the chemical defense of tree species in response to supplemental watering, in relation to larger scale applications in defense against D. ponderosae infestations.

Competition history

• AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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