Abstract Detail

Conservation Biology

Williams, Justin Kirk [1], Alford, John [2], Lutterschmidt, William [1], Godwin, William [3], Hagyari, David [1].

Modeling Agricultural Timber Risks and Southern Pine Beetle Aggregation.

In Texas, the southern pine beetle (SPB) is recognized as the most destructive pest of commercial pine. The Texas A & M Forest Service has recorded outbreaks every 6-9 years. Economics has driven a large amount of research on this pest, including the development of mathematical and computer simulation models that have been used to investigate strategies to mitigate the damage from SPB epidemics. But over the last two decades the need for new models that incorporate previously unknown factors has arisen. In particular, the landscape of pine timberlands in Texas and across the southern United States has changed in dramatic ways that affect our current understanding of Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) outbreaks. We propose the construction of a new mathematical model of SPB population dynamics that incorporates updated ecological and life history parameters selected from a query of a broad spectrum of land managers. We propose the creation and validation of this model using SPB trapping data as well as self thinning data and DBH of Long Leaf Pine as they vary across a diverse number of differently managed sites. We propose working with partners including the U. S. Forest Service Southern Research Station, Sam Houston National Forest, Big Thicket National Preserve, private conservation minded landowners, and private timber investment management organizations.

1 - Sam Houston State University, Biological Sciences, Huntsville, TX, 77320-2116, USA
2 - Sam Houston State University, Mathematics, Huntsville, TX, 77320, USA
3 - Sam Houston State University, Natural History Museum at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Tx, 77320, USA

Keywords:
Longleaf pine.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Conservation Biology Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PCB016
Abstract ID:1049
Candidate for Awards:None