Mountain Pine Beetle Invasive Threat to Minnesota's Pines
Native to the western United States and Canada, mountain pine beetle is considered the most devastating forest insect in North America. Trees usually die as a result of infestation and an unprecedented outbreak in the west is currently decimating pine forests there. While mountain pine beetle is not presently believed to reside in Minnesota, there are risks posed by an expanding species range resulting from warming climate and the potential for accidental introduction via lumber imports from infested areas. It is estimated that Minnesota currently has about 200 million trees that would be susceptible to mountain pine beetle if it should become established here and loss of those trees would threaten wildlife habitat, water quality protection, and recreation. Researchers at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are using this appropriation to survey state locations for the presence of mountain pine beetle and to characterize the risk posed by the insect to Minnesota pine species. If detected early enough isolated populations of mountain pine beetle may be possible to control and a better understanding of how Minnesota’s particular pine species might react to the insect would guide future management response strategies.
$175,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota and $75,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of agriculture to survey for the presence and characterize the potential risk of the invasive mountain pine beetle to Minnesota's pine forests to inform early detection and rapid response. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Click on Work Plan under Project Details.
Click on Work Plan under Project Details.