ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES in rocky mountain coniferous ...

A REVIEW OF SOME INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HARVESTING,
RESIDUE MANAGEMENT, FIRE, AND FOREST INSECTS AND DISEASES
David G. Fellin
Supervisory Research Entomologi st
USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and
Range Experiment Station
ABSTRACT
Many species of insects and diseases create residues that pre-
dispose forests to fire. Conversely, natural factors such as
fire, wind-throw, and other agents create forest residues that
predispose forests to diseases and insects, including bark and
cambium beetles, wood borers, and others. Man-made residues
also predispose forests to insects and disease.
Harvesting practices, residue management, and fi re management
not only influence the behavior and impact of forest insects,
but also can be used to suppress some insect and disease popu-
lations. These practices a1 so have a profound infl uence-mostly
negative--on forest floor and forest soil arthropods, many of
which (in concert with wood-destroying fungi) are involved in
both the micro- and macro-deterioration and dispersion of forest
residues, Opinions vary concerning the value of removing residues
through prescribed fire to manage forest insects and diseases.
Harvesting, residue management, and fire management are inextricably
tied to forest succession.
The interactions between harvesting, residues, fire, insects,
and diseases have many implications for the resource manager.
Future research should provide a better understanding of these
interactions and wil l likely enhance our opportunity to reduce
the negative impacts of many species of indigenous insects and
diseases in managed forests.
KEYWORDS: arthropods, disease, f ire, residue, harvesting,
silviculture