Forest Pests & Damage Agents - Forest Health and Adaptation

 
     
 
 
 
What is a Forest Pest?

A forest pest is any organism occurring in unsustainable numbers, placing a constraint on management or utilization of a forest stand. They can threaten the health and vigour of a forest, biodiversity, and the many social, cultural and economic values Albertans enjoy.

Many factors can have negative effects on the health of a forest. Some are biotic, or living, while others are abiotic or non-living.


Biotic Factors
Abiotic Factors

  • Disease-causing organisms
  • Insects
  • Parasitic plants or mammals

  • Changing climatic conditions
  • Drought
  • Severe weather events (hail, ice storms)

Common Forest Pests and Damage Agents The Alberta Forest Pest Damage Diagnostic System is a tool that can help determine the specific forest pest or agent causing damage to trees.

Managing Forest Pests

Forest pest management is a systematic approach to reducing pest damage to social and economically acceptable levels. The ministry is committed to sustaining the health of our forests, and does so through
  • assessment of risk
  • detection
  • implementation of various management programs in forest stands
  • survey and monitoring
  
 
 
 
For more information about the content of this document, contact Devon Belanger.
This information published to the web on February 24, 2016.
Last Reviewed/Revised on May 23, 2016.