The Role of the Mountain Pine Beetle in Lodgepole Pine Ecosystems: Impact on Succession

Parasites, Lightning, and the Vegetation Mosaic in Wilderness Landscapes

“…Other insects may have similar effects, whether in terms of enhancing flammability or delaying its development, and, of course, fire suppression has been suggested as favoring conditions that lead to insect outbreaks, which in turn may enhance the probability of the next fire (Amman 1977;Peterman 1978;Schowalter et al 1981Schowalter et al , 1985McCune 1983;Heinselman 1983;Waring and Schlesinger 1985;Stocks 1985). Although weather conditions favorable for hot fires may override the more subtle effects of insects, the interaction between insect outbreaks and fuel dynamics (flammability) appears to be significant.…”

Forest health through silviculture: Proceedings of the 1995 National Silviculture Workshop

“…These resilient responses are typical of native organism/ tree associations that have occurred over long periods (Amman 1977 numbers of lodgepole pine. This mortality provides fuel for fires which recycle the dead trees and open cones for the deposit of seed on the exposed soil.…”

“…Both epidemic and endemic types of activities are characteristic of the forests in which most of our native species evolved or to which they have adapted (Amman 1977). In this context, it is not appropriate to view them as stresses (O'Laughlin and others 1993).…”

“…The succession functions of pathogens and insects also may be among the most predictable of the disturbances in forests (Amman 1977, Veblen and others 1991, Goheen and Hansen 1993.…”

Fire ecology of the forest habitat types of northern Idaho

“…The likelihood of severe pine beetle infestation varies with habitat type; in southeastern Idaho and northwestern Wyoming, the proportion of stands infested was greater in moist than dry habitat types (table 14). According to Amman (1977), the role played by mountain pine beetle in seral lodgepole pine is to periodically remove the large dominant pines. After an infestation subsides, growth rates increase in residual lodgepole pine and other species present.…”