Wood Decomposition and Carbon Loss Following Mountain Pine Beetle Attack

BC’s mountain pine beetle (MPB)-killed forests may release significant amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere as dead trees decay. Following Kyoto’s initiatives, CFS researchers are working to quantify CO2 release from forest disturbances. Carbon loss from decaying wood is poorly understood; my objective, therefore, is to investigate how tree position and climate moisture affect decay rates of MPB-killed wood. To date, I have sampled standing, suspended, and down MPB-killed trees on dry, moist, and wet sites. During the internship, I will work with CFS staff at the PFC laboratory to determine the carbon content of my samples. We will estimate the rate of carbon loss over time with respect to tree position and climate moisture. These data will be used by CFS scientists to calibrate the computer model designed to estimate forest carbon fluxes. By improving knowledge of carbon-loss processes, this research will help CFS recommend appropriate forest management.

Faculty Supervisor:

Arthur Fredeen

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Forest Service

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Public administration

University:

University of Northern British Columbia

Program: