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Spatial scaling of mountain pine beetle infestations.
1Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H1, Canada. jgg@aber.ac.uk.
The Journal of Animal Ecology
|April 10, 2008
Summary
Scale-invariance characterizes mountain pine beetle spread, allowing spatial aggregation prediction from occupancy alone. This finding aids in forecasting ecosystem damage from invasive species like the mountain pine beetle.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Forestry
- Invasive Species Management
Background:
- Understanding species spread is crucial for predicting ecosystem damage.
- Occupancy and spatial contagion dynamics are key factors in invasive species outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between occupancy and spatial contagion in mountain pine beetle infestations.
- To apply a fractal dimension model to predict spatial distributions of pest outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a model linking occupancy and fractal dimension.
- Analyzed spatial distribution of mountain pine beetle infestations in British Columbia.
- Assessed scale-invariance and its relationship with landscape metrics.
Main Results:
- Mountain pine beetle infestation distribution exhibited scale-invariance in most years, particularly during epidemics.
- A logarithmic relationship was observed between fractal dimension and infestation occupancy.
- Scale-invariance provided a framework to link occupancy and spatial contagion.
Conclusions:
- Scale-invariance is a dominant feature in mountain pine beetle spread.
- Occupancy is a sufficient predictor for spatial population distributions and aggregation.
- Fractal dispersal kernels may be common in pest and invasive species outbreaks.
