Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of climate change on insect defoliator population processes in Canada's boreal forest: Some plausible scenarios

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Insect populations have a substantial impact on Canada's forest. They are a dominating disturbance factor and during outbreaks they can cause tree mortality over vast areas of forest. If the predicted climate changes take effect, the damage patterns caused by insects may be drastically altered, especially for the many insects whose occurrence in time and space is severely limited by climatic factors. This possibility substantially increases the uncertainties associated with the long-term planning of pest control requirements, with hazard rating models, with depletion forecasts, and with projections for the sustainability of future timber supplies. Moreover, because insect damage affects the rates of various processes in nutrient and biogeochemical cycling, potential changes in damage patterns can affect ecosystem resilience. This paper presents a number of plausible scenarios that describe how some key processes in the boreal forest's insect defoliator outbreak systems may respond to climate change. The spruce budworm,Choristoneura fumiferana Clem. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is used as an illustrative case study throughout. The potential importance of phonological synchrony in the dynamical interactions between species is emphasised. It is argued that natural selection may be a particularly important process in the response of insects to climate change and that climate change may already be influencing some insect lifecycles. The importance of threshold effects, rare but extreme events, and transient dynamics is emphasised, and the inadequacy of ‘equilibrium’ models for forest:pest systems noted. We conclude by discussing approaches to developing forecasts of how one of the boreal forest's insect defoliator-based disturbance regimes, as a whole, might respond to climate change.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albert, P. J., Clearley, C., Hanson, F., and Parisella, S.: 1982,J. Chem. Ecol. 8, 233–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Antonovsky, M. Y., Fleming, R. A., Kuznetsov, Y. A., and Clark, W. C.: 1990,Theor. Popul. Biol. 37, 343–367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Apps, M. J.: 1995,Water, Air, and Soil Pollut. (this volume).

  • Ayres, M. P.: 1993,In: Kareiva, P. M., Kingsolver, J. G., and Huey, R. B. (eds.),Biotic Interactions and Global Change, Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, USA, pp. 75–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, J. P., Chapin III, F. S., and Klein, D. R.: 1983,Oikos 40, 357–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cerezke, H. F., and Volney, W. J. A.: 1995,In: Ives, W.G.H. (ed.),Forest Insect Pests in Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northwest Region, Ottawa, Canada. (In press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, H. S., and Jennings, D. T.: 1989,Ecology 70, 152–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fajer, E. D., Bowers, M. D., and Bazzaz, F. A.: 1991,Ecology 72, 751–754.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleming, R. A., and Tatchell, G. M.: 1994a,In: Leather, S. R., Watt, A. D., Mills, N. J., and Walters, K. A. F. (eds.),Individuals, Populations and Patterns in Ecology, Intercept, Andover, UK, pp. 63–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleming, R. A., and Tatchell, G. M.: 1994b, In: Harrington, R. and Stork, N. E. (eds.),Insects in a Changing Environment, Academic Press, London, UK, pp. 479–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleming, R. A., and van Frankenhuyzen, K.: 1992,Can. Ent. 124, 1101–1113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haack, R. A., and Byler, J. W.: 1993,J. Forestry 91, 32–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, J. P., and Moody, B. H.: 1994,Forest Depletions Caused by Insects and Diseases in Canada, 1982–1987, Information Report ST-X-8, Canadian Forest Service, Ottawa, Canada 14 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, Y., Mainville, M., and Schmitt, D. M.: 1986,An Atlas of Spruce Budworm Defoliation in Eastern North America, 1938–1980, U.S.D.A. For. Serv., Cooperative State Research Service. Miscellaneous Publ. No. 1449. U.S.D.A., Washington, USA, 52 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, G. T.: 1974,Can. Ent. 106, 353–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, G. T.: 1983a,Can. Ent. 115, 1103–1108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, G. T.: 1983b,Can, Ent. 115, 1109–1117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, G. T.: 1985,Can. Ent. 117, 1451–1461.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassell, M. P., Godfray, H. C. J., and Comins, H. N.: 1993,In: Kareiva, P. M., Kingsolver, J. G., and Huey, R. B. (eds.),Biotic Interactions and Global Change. Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, USA, pp. 402–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haukioja, E.: 1980,Oikos 35, 202–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hengeveld, H.: 1991,Understanding Atmospheric Change: A Survey of the Background Science and Implications of Climate Change and Ozone Depletion, SOE Report 91-2, Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Canada, 68 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houghton, J. T., Jenkins, G., and Ephraums, J. J. (eds.): 1990,Climate Change: The IPCC Scientific Assessment, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 403 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudes, E. S., and Shoemaker, C. A.: 1988,Environ. Entomol. 17, 97–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isaev, A. S., and Khlebopros, R. G.: 1979,In: Norton, G. A., and Holling, C. S. (eds.),Pest Management. Pergamon, Oxford, UK, pp. 317–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, P. D., and Wigley, T. M. L.: 1990,Sci. Amer. 263, 66–73.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Little, C. H. A.: 1970,Can. J. Bot. 48, 2021–2028.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucuik, G. S.: 1984,Can. Ent. 116, 1077–1084.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lysyk, T. J.: 1989,J. Econ. Entomol. 82, 1161–1168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martineau, R.: 1984.,Insects Harmful to Forest Trees, Canadian Forest Service, Govt. Publ. Centre, Ottawa, Canada, 261 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattson, W. J.: 1980,Oecologia 81, 186–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattson, W. J., and Haack, R. A.: 1987,Bioscience 37, 110–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattson, W. J., Slocum, S. S., and Koller, C. N.: 1983,Spruce Budworm Performance in Relation to Foliar Chemistry of its Host Plants, U.S.D.A. For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-85, pp. 55–56.

  • Nealis, V. G., and Fraser, S.: 1988,Can. Ent. 120, 197–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, D. F., and Fleming, R. A.: 1988,Can. J. Bot. 67, 1657–1663.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piene, H.: 1980,Forest Sci. 26, 665–673.

    Google Scholar 

  • Régnière, J., and You, M.: 1991,Ecol. Modelling 54, 277–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhoades, D. F., and Cates, R. G.: 1976,Rec. Adv. Phytochem. 10, 168–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizzo, B., and Wicken, E.: 1992,Climate Change 21, 37–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, H. H., Thomas, J. F., and Bingham, G. E. 1983,Science 220, 428–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royama, T.: 1992,Analytical Population Dynamics, Routledge, Chapman and Hall, New York, USA, 387 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sager, R., and Ryan, F. J.: 1961,Cell Heredity, Wiley, New York, USA, 411 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, C. J.: 1991,In: van der Geest, L. P. S., and Evenhuis, H. H. (eds.),Tortricid Pests, Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control, Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, pp. 579–620.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, C. J., Wallace, D. R., and Lucuik, G. S.: 1978,Can. Ent. 107, 1289–1299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sargent, N. E.: 1988,Climatological Bull. 22(3), 23–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schowalter, T. D., Hargrove, W. W., and Crossley, D. A., Jr.: 1986,Annu. Rev. Entomol. 31, 177–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scriber, J. M., and Slansky, F.: 1981,Ann. Rev. Ent. 26, 183–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedinger, J. S., and Flint, P. L.: 1991,Ecology 72, 496–502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. M., Leemans, R., and Shugart, H. H.: 1992,Climate Change 21, 367–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuomi, J., Niemelii, P., Chapin, F. S., III, Bryant, J. P., and Siren, S.: 1988,In: Mattson, W. J., Levieux, J., and Bernard-Dagan, C. (eds.),Mechanisms of Woody Plant Defenses Against Insects: Search for Patterns, Springer-Verlag, New York, USA, pp. 416.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volney, W. J. A.: 1989,Agricultural Zoology Reviews 3, 133–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volney, W. J. A., and Cerezke, H. F.: 1992,Can. J. For. Res. 22, 198–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wellington, W. G.: 1948,Can. Ent. 80, 56–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, T. C. R.: 1984,Oecologia 63, 90–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, G. F.: 1974,Can. J. Zool. 52, 59–63.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Canadian Forest Service, Forest Pest Management Institute, P. O. Box 490, P6A 5M7, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

    R. A. Fleming

  2. Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, 5320-122 St., T6H 3S5, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    W. J. A. Volney

Authors
  1. R. A. Fleming
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. J. A. Volney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fleming, R.A., Volney, W.J.A. Effects of climate change on insect defoliator population processes in Canada's boreal forest: Some plausible scenarios. Water Air Soil Pollut 82, 445–454 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01182854

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01182854

Keywords

Search

Navigation