Insects and
Disease
The major forest
insect pests in Alberta include defoliators (eastern spruce budworm, forest tent
caterpillar) and bark beetles (mountain pine beetle and spruce beetle). The
major forest diseases are dwarf mistletoe, wood decay, armillaria root rot and
stem cankers.
Insect pests and
disease represent a significant disturbance of forests ecosystems in Alberta.
From 19881992, the estimated average annual growth loss due to major forest
insect pests and diseases in Alberta was the equivalent of about one half of the
timber volume harvested in the province during the same period.
Department of the Environment. State of the Environment Report, Terrestrial Ecosystems. Edmonton: n.p., 2001. With permission from Alberta Environment.
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