Armillaria Root Rot Research and Extension FORREX SERIES 11. Strategy

Transcription

1 2003 Armillaria Root Rot Research and Extension FORREX SERIES 11 Strategy

2 Armillaria Root Rot Research and Extension Strategy Alan M. Wiensczyk i

3 National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data Wiensczyk, Alan M. (Alan Martin), Armillaria root rot research and extension strategy [electronic resource] / Alan M. Wiensczyk. (FORREX series ; 11) Includes bibliographical references. Type of computer file: PDF. System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. ISBN Armillaria root rot British Columbia. 2. Trees Diseases and pests British Columbia. I. FORREX II. Title. III. Series: FORREX series (On-line) ; 11. SB741.A7W C FORREX Forest Research Extension Partnership Information may be reproduced without permission subject to the fair dealing provision and the exceptions set out in the Canada Copyright Act, R.S., c. C-20, s. 1. The source of the work must be fully acknowledged. Information may not be redistributed or stored for the purpose of serving through any other information retrieval system without the written permission of FORREX Forest Research Extension Partnership. Links can be made freely. No guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, is made about the value or stability of the information or links made herein. However, reproduction of this work, in whole or in part, for purposes of commercial use, resale, or redistribution requires written permission from FORREX. For this purpose, contact FORREX at: Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue, Kamloops, BC V2C 3J4. For more information about FORREX, visit: This report is published by: FORREX Suite 702, 235 1st Avenue Kamloops, BC V2C 3J4 This FORREX publication is supported in part by the Province of British Columbia through Forestry Innovation Investment. ii The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the FORREX Forest Research Extension Partnership of any product or service to the exclusion of any others that may also be suitable.

4 ABSTRACT Forest health issues in British Columbia are challenging and include both insect pests and diseases of forest trees. Previous client assessments indicated a need for improved information about root rot and pest management practices. In response, FORREX surveyed government researchers and forest industry personnel in 2001 to: determine the extent of the root rot problem, identify information gaps, and ascertain the preferred type of extension programming. This report presents a co-ordinated root rot research and extension strategy for the Southern Interior based on information derived from the survey and subsequent discussion. Methods of evaluating the success of this strategy are outlined, as are potential barriers to the strategy s implementation. Citation Wiensczyk, A.M Armillaria root rot research and extension strategy. FORREX Forest Research Extension Partnership, Kamloops, B.C. FORREX Series 11. iii

5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my FORREX team members Victor Cumming, Shawn Morford, Karyn Sutherland, Kathie Swift, and Jennifer Turner for their guidance, assistance, and support in the preparation of this strategy. I would also like to thank Emile Begin, Mike Cruickshank, Hadrian Merler, Duncan Morrison, John Muir, Fred Peet, Rona Sturrock, and Bart van der Kamp for their input during the initial development phase of this strategy and their review and comments on the draft manuscript. Funds to support this project came from the Province of British Columbia. Abstract Acknowledgements 1 Introduction 2 Definitions and Context 2.1 What is a Research Strategy? 2.2 What is Extension? 2.3 What is an Extension Strategy? 3 Root Rot Research and Extension Strategy 3.1 Purpose, Goals, and Target Audience 3.2 Armillaria Root Rot Issues 3.3 Logic Model 3.4 Research Strategy 3.5 Extension Strategy 4 Evaluation 4.1 Barriers and Obstacles Appendix 1 Research issues raised during the research and extension strategy review process References iv

6 CONTENTS Abstract Acknowledgements Introduction Definitions and Context What is a Research Strategy? What is Extension? What is an Extension Strategy? Root Rot Research and Extension Strategy Purpose, Goals, and Target Audience Armillaria Root Rot Issues Logic Model Research Strategy Extension Strategy Evaluation Barriers and Obstacles APPENDIX 1 Research issues raised during the research and extension strategy review process References III IV TABLES 1 Target audience of the FORREX root rot research and extension strategy Issues for which survey respondents indicated that more information was required, classified as a research or extension need, or both Armillaria root rot research strategy: issues for which a lack of information exists and suggested tactics to fill these gaps Armillaria root rot extension strategy Evaluation of Armillaria root rot extension activities FIGURES 1 Root rot research plan logic model Root rot extension plan logic model Flow chart of Armillaria root rot impact assessment research v

7 1 INTRODUCTION Forest health issues in British Columbia are challenging and include both insect pests and diseases of forest trees. In a 1998 client needs survey completed for the Southern Interior Forest Extension and Research Partnership (SIFERP) (now FORREX Forest Research Extension Partnership), root rot in forest plantations was ranked as a major concern by land and resource managers in the Southern Interior of the province. In addition, 70% of the licensees surveyed requested information on root rot and pestmanagement practices occasionally and often. This information need was also identified as a priority by FORREX s Ecosystem Management and Forest Practices working group. In June 1999, the B.C. Ministry of Forests in the Nelson Forest Region asked SIFERP to help conduct an information needs assessment for partial cutting. During this assessment, information pertaining to forest health issues, such as root rot and its effect on the development of residual and second-growth stands, was considered critical (Swift 2001). With the current public pressure to continue with partial cutting in all jurisdictions and forest regions, it appears that more information will be required to provide mitigation opportunities for the operational. To clarify the nature of this forest health issue, FORREX conducted a survey of Ministry of Forests personnel (branch, region, and district level), federal government and university researchers, and members of the forest industry. The purpose of the survey was to: determine the extent of the root rot problem, identify information gaps, and ascertain the preferred type of extension programming. Most survey respondents believed that forests were poorly managed for root rot. Armillaria root rot (Armillaria ostoyae [Romagnesi] Herink) was identified as the primary root disease of concern in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. The issues identified by survey respondents were divided into three broad areas: policy or management issues, biological or technical issues, and information issues. Information issues included the need for more extension on root rot many respondents felt that tools to improve root rot management decisions were not available. The most effective activities for dealing with the root rot issue were: transferring existing technical and research information to planners and field operations personnel in a useable format, and developing or revising forestry standards or policies to better fit the nature and biology of root rot. The operational also cited the strong differences in opinion that exist among the experts on this issue, believing that this situation made the application of management decisions more difficult. In addition, understanding the biology of the disease as part of the ecosystem was ranked as the most important information need by the majority of respondents. See Wiensczyk (2001) for a complete summary of the survey results. In May 2001, a meeting was held with several root rot researchers to discuss the results of this survey and the issues surrounding root rot in the Southern Interior. Because of this discussion, it was decided that FORREX should formulate a co-ordinated Armillaria root rot research and extension strategy for the Southern Interior. This report presents the proposed research and extension strategy. 1

8 2 DEFINITIONS AND CONTEXT 2.1 What is a Research Strategy? A research strategy acts as a guide to the scientific. It summarizes the information gaps identified by the operational and scientific communities and identifies the research projects currently underway to address these gaps. The purpose of a research strategy is to help researchers avoid duplication of effort and to provide opportunities for collaboration on various projects. To effectively communicate information and results from research trials, a research strategy is ideally integrated with an extension strategy. 2.2 What is Extension? Extension is the two-way transfer of information between, in this particular case, the scientific and the operational to affect a positive change. The research provides relevant and timely information to address the needs and priorities identified by the operational. Sources of information can include the researchers own studies, as well as information from studies conducted elsewhere and personal experience and knowledge. The delivery of this information can take many forms, and depends on the needs of the target audience and the objective of the learning experience. 2.3 What is an Extension Strategy? An extension strategy is a learning plan that helps identify and develop specific programming to meet client-identified needs. It includes the identification of the priority clients, the desired changes (both from the clients perspective and the researchers perspective), and includes indicators that the desired changes have been achieved. In addition, an extension strategy outlines the delivery methods (e.g., experiential, reinforcement, integrative) and steps to accomplish the desired changes, and assigns responsibility for delivery of the extension program. Lastly, it includes methods for evaluating the success or failure of the extension program. 3 ROOT ROT RESEARCH AND EXTENSION STRATEGY 3.1 Purpose, Goals, and Target Audience The purpose of this research and extension strategy is to provide the operational and scientific communities with information that will improve root rot management in second-growth forest stands in British Columbia. This strategy aims to achieve the following goals: Root rot researchers will know and be better able to address the priority research needs identified by the operational and research. Root rot researchers will be better able to develop strategies to effectively communicate the results of research projects and other information to the operational. Root rot researchers will have increased awareness of the research initiatives conducted by others, which will help avoid duplication and encourage collaboration. The operational will have improved access to the latest information on root rot management techniques and treatments. The operational will have the tools they need to effectively manage root rot. 2

9 Natural resource policy-makers will have the knowledge they need to develop new (or revise existing) forest policies that more accurately address the management of timber and non-timber objectives in root rot infested areas. Table 1 describes the intended audience, or users, of the research and extension strategy. The main beneficiaries of the extension portion of this strategy will be the people of British Columbia, environmental groups, certification boards, and government and industry natural resource managers in the Southern Interior. For example, the research and extension generated by this strategy will assist resource managers in decision making related to the preparation of forest stewardship plans. 1 Ministry of Forests district managers, and other statutory decision makers, will be able to make better-informed approval rejection decisions on submitted plans. Forest consultants, who prepare silviculture prescriptions for industry and the BC Timber Sales program, and forest surveyors will also benefit from the results of this research and extension strategy by their improved ability to identify the disease in the field. Forest Practices Board staff will have access to the current knowledge on root disease management, improving administration and leading to better assessments of management choices in the field. Similarly, certification board assessment of environmental management choices will also be improved. TABLE 1 Target audience of the FORREX root rot research and extension strategy Audience Primary audience Operational Scientific Association of British Columbia Forestry Professionals a Description Government and licensee foresters and technicians, statutory decision makers, consultants, forest surveyors (timber cruisers, regeneration, and free growing surveyors) Root rot researchers Governing bodies that provide approval and professional standards under their discipline and ethics committees Secondary audience Policy-makers a Government staff involved in developing forest management laws, policies, and procedures The Association of British Columbia Professional Foresters (ABCPF) and the Association of Technicians and Technologists of British Columbia (ATTBC) are in the process of combining into one body the Association of British Columbia Forestry Professionals (ABCFP) (August 2003). The main beneficiary of the research section of this strategy will be the root rot research, including federal and provincial government and academic institutions in British Columbia. Co-ordinated, collaborative research projects will foster dialogue between root rot researchers, leading to a common understanding of the issues surrounding this disease. The results-based Forest Practices Code and other initiatives currently underway may alter the target audiences for the extension portion of this strategy and the strategy will be adjusted accordingly. 1 The name of the plan may change when the new forest practices legislation comes into effect. 3

10 3.2 Armillaria Root Rot Issues Four main issues were raised by the respondents to the root rot survey: 1. Differences of opinion about root rot among the experts concerning: treatment options (best practices based on current levels of knowledge); mortality levels; pulses of disease activity 2 ; and effects on site productivity (losses or gains). 2. Lack of data (operational, research, long term). 3. Stand-level hazard rating or management decision matrix needed. 4. Government policies or standards not fitting the nature and biology of root rot. The lack of data may be both an extension and a research and operational problem. The first step in addressing this issue is to determine whether the lack of information is real or perceived. If the data does not exist, then the topic in question would be identified as a research need. If the data exist, but are not being effectively communicated to the operational, then it would be classified as an extension need. Survey respondents identified specific topic areas for which they felt more information was required (Table 2). These topics were classified as either extension or research needs. For some topics information does exist, but more is required; in these cases, the topics were classified as both research and extension needs. Other research issues or needs were identified during the strategy review stage. These are summarized in Appendix 1. TABLE 2 Issues for which survey respondents indicated that more information was required, classified as a research or extension need, or both Issue Sub-issues Research Need Extension Need Resource management planning Risk of the disease (hazard ratings) Prediction models for disease spread Non-timber forest objectives (e.g., scenic areas, partial retention) Biology of the disease Role of the disease in stand dynamics Function within the ecosystem Influence of site factors (soil ph, heavy metals) Disease detection Survey methodology and surveyor training Impacts of the disease Short-term impacts (seedling mortality) Long-term impacts on growth and yield Treatment options Efficacy of existing treatment and management options Efficacy of new treatment and management options Application of various treatments (when and where) Cost/benefit analysis of treatment options Impacts of treatments on other site attributes (e.g., soil disturbance standards) 2 These last two points were suggested additions in subsequent review of the plan and were not identified by survey respondents. 4

11 3.3 Logic Model A logic model was applied to the development of the root rot research and extension strategy. The logic model is a visual interpretation that provides a common vocabulary for all those involved in the planning process. It consists of a series of if then relationships that link activities to short-term outcomes and then link the short-term outcomes to the longer-term goal(s) of the program. The model also shows relationships between activities and short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes and goals. Figure 1 illustrates the logic model for the root rot research strategy. The logic model for the extension strategy is shown in Figure Research Strategy Some of the information needs identified in Table 2 and illustrated in the research logic model (Figure 1) require further research before any extension activities can take place. These information needs are summarized in Table 3. This table includes suggested research or study tactics to address the needs and identifies the lead agencies best suited to address the information need, as well as estimates of the costs and time required. Figure 3 illustrates one of the critical components of the research strategy. This involves determining the effects of Armillaria root disease on the growth and yield of the forested land base and the resulting effects on the timber supply, and the cost of the treatments required to achieve forest management objectives. The root rot research and extension strategy suggests numerous research and study tactics and extension activities that could address many of the questions raised about Armillaria root rot. The implementation of these projects will depend on the available time and expertise. The strategy should serve as a guide when planning these research and extension projects. Collaboration and co-funding agreements between agencies may create efficiencies allowing the implementation of projects which otherwise may not be conducted. 3.5 Extension Strategy The extension strategy for the information needs identified in the root rot survey (Table 2) and illustrated graphically in the logic model (Figure 2) is shown in Table 4. The information needs are classified into five general objectives: 1. increased availability of root rot information, 2. increased knowledge of the biology of Armillaria root rot, 3. increased recognition of the disease in the field, 4. increased knowledge of the impacts and risks of the disease, and 5. increased knowledge of treatment options to deal with the disease. Requests for information about disease risk and prediction models for disease spread that are listed under the resource management planning issues in Table 2, are incorporated into the extension objective of increasing the knowledge of the impacts and risks of the disease. The non-timber forest issues, including partial retention for visual quality objectives in areas infested with Armillaria root rot, are included in the extension objective of increasing the knowledge around the biology of the disease. Desired changes are assigned to each objective (Table 4), and in some cases, more than one desired change is listed. Priority clients are identified and some potential types of extension programming to meet client needs are suggested. Because the effectiveness of various delivery methods and programming will vary by client group, extension activities should be strongly linked to the priority clients. Some extension activities will require a series of extension programming. These are listed under the possible steps to be accomplished. The table also includes information on potential lead agencies and those agencies that will provide support in delivering the various extension activities. 5

12 6 FIGURE 1 Root rot research plan logic model.

13 FIGURE 2 Root rot extension plan logic model. Numbers in bold outlined boxes refer to the extension objectives discussed in Section 3.4 and listed in Table 4. 7

14 TABLE 3 Armillaria root rot research strategy: issues for which a lack of information exists and suggested tactics to fill these gaps Issue Information requests Potential research or study tactics Agency Time/cost Resource management planning Planning for non-timber management objectives in areas with root rot Areas requiring partial cutting Snapshots and permanent sample plots (PSPs) in root rot areas currently managed for aesthetics, watershed, wildlife Risk of disease (hazard ratings or mapping at landscape scale) Prediction simulator Computer simulation of root disease hazards and rates of spread Forestry Canada 0.5 person years $25,000 (one time) + $10,000/year Inventory Updated inventory of Armillaria in unmanaged and second-growth stands B.C. Ministry of Forests, Inventory Branch Southern Interior Growth and Yield Co-op (SIGY) Local incidence data (snapshot) Small-scale inventory of root disease in managed and unmanaged stands B.C. Ministry of Forests Forestry Canada Biology of the disease Biology of the disease Controlled conditions study B.C. Ministry of Forests Forestry Canada Academe Role of root rot in stand dynamics Set up PSPs in single and mixed species stands in various successional stages and stand structures SIGY Interaction with other root diseases such as Phellinus Snapshot and PSPs in unmanaged controls and stands managed at varying degrees of density and stand structures Controlled conditions experiment looking at interaction between Phellinus and Armillaria B.C. Ministry of Forests Forestry Canada Academe SIGY Disease detection Survey methodology Literature review describing appropriate survey methodology for assessing root disease presence and impacts Development of demonstration areas to illustrate survey methodology B.C. Ministry of Forests Forestry Canada 8

15 TABLE 3 (Concluded) Issue Information requests Potential research or study tactics Agency Time/cost Impacts of the disease Short-term impacts PSPs in managed and unmanaged stands B.C. Ministry of Forests SIGY Long-term implications of root diseases on site productivity and growth and yield PSPs in managed and unmanaged stands Retrospective studies B.C. Ministry of Forests, Inventory Branch SIGY Forestry Canada (in progress) Baseline information PSPs in managed and unmanaged stands B.C. Ministry of Forests, Inventory Branch SIGY Treatment options Efficacy of new and existing treatments and management options Research studies comparing root disease treatments B.C. Ministry of Forests (in progress) Forestry Canada Academe Conditions under which these treatments should be applied Research studies to test treatment options under various managed and unmanaged stand conditions B.C. Ministry of Forests Forestry Canada Academe Cost/benefit analysis of treatment options Productivity studies FERIC Applied research at stand level Monitoring various management options at the stand level with PSPs B.C. Ministry of Forests Forestry Canada Academe Southern Interior Growth and Yield Co-op 9

16 TABLE 4 Armillaria root rot extension strategy Objective Desired Priority Client Delivery Steps FORREX Forestry Canada B.C. Ministry change clients profile method required of Forests Increased availability of root rot information Members of the operational and research will have increased access to root rot management information Operational and research communities Ministry of Forests, Licensees, Federal Government, Academe, First Nations Web page Resource list server Referral service Resource clearinghouse Gather information Compile list of experts Gather information Enter into NRIN Winter 2002 NRIN (Winter 2002) Underway Increased knowledge of biology of Armillaria root rot Operational will have increased knowledge of the biology of root rot and its role within stands and ecosystems Operational Ministry of Forests, Timber Sales BC, and Licensees (planners, silviculturists, and forest health specialists), Academe (University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, B.C. Institute of Technology, Malaspina University-College, Selkirk College) Workshops Extension notes Web page Fred Peet s Root Rot Tracker software LINK newsletter article Demonstrations of software Shawn Morford Shawn Morford, Al Wiensczyk (assist with organization) Underway Fred Peet, Fall 2002 Fred Peet, Fall 2002 Ministry of Forests district and regional offices Williams Lake Kootenays Port Alberni (other root diseases) Workshop held Sept. 5, 2000: 100 Mile House Forest District Hands-on workshops Shawn Morford, Al Wiensczyk (assist with organization) Fred Peet, Fall 2002 Colleges with computer labs Williams Lake Kootenays Port Alberni Presentations at silviculture association meetings Al Wiensczyk (assist with organization) 10

17 TABLE 4 (Continued) Objective Desired Priority Client Delivery Steps FORREX Forestry Canada B.C. Ministry change clients profile method required of Forests Increased knowledge of biology of Armillaria root rot (continued) Update of government polices or standards that do not fit the nature and biology of root disease Policy-makers Ministries of Forests and Sustainable Resource Management (policy-makers) Solutions-focused workshop dealing with the issue of government policy and root disease Policy Workshop Web site with additional details in support of updated guidebook Web site Underway Increased recognition of the disease in the field Operational will have improved ability to recognize root rot infested stems during field work for silviculture prescription development Operational Survey contractors, Ministry of Forests, Licensees Field training sessions Develop curriculum for field training sessions Conduct training sessions Increased knowledge of impacts and risks of the disease Operational will have increased knowledge of the risk of root disease by ecosystem Operational Ministry of Forests, Timber Sales BC, and Licensees (planners, silviculturists, and forest health specialists) Stand Establishment Decision Aids (SEDAs) Hazard/risk rating maps Develop stand establishment decision aids for root diseases Maps showing infection centres and levels of Armillaria in the Inveremere Forest District available via the Forest Service Web site Kathie Swift and Jennifer Turner Winter/Spring Emile Begin and John Muir Models or simulations Root Rot Tracking software (See above for details) Fred Peet (Summer 2002 Winter 2003) 11

18 TABLE 4 (Concluded) Objective Desired Priority Client Delivery Steps FORREX Forestry Canada B.C. Ministry change clients profile method required of Forests Increased knowledge of impacts and risks of the disease (continued) Operational will have increased knowledge of shortterm impacts of root rot (seedling mortality) and the long-term impact of root rot on growth and yield Operational Ministry of Forests, Licensees (planners, silviculturists, forest health specialists) Models Extension note Root Rot Tracking software (see above) Prognosis Other models? Extension note summarizing results of research trials and studies that investigate shortand long-term impacts of root rot on growth and yield and plantation performance Summer/Fall 2003 (co-operative activity with input from representatives from other agencies) Increased knowledge of treatment options Research will have increased knowledge of treatment options and will know the most appropriate treatment option(s) to recommend for application under given conditions Research Root rot experts: Ministry of Forests (forest health specialists and researchers), Academe, Federal Government Solutions-focused workshop or meeting where expert opinions can be expressed as they relate to current research findings Workshop or meeting Fall/Winter 2003 Kamloops (FORREX can help facilitate with organizational help from other organizations) Operational will have increased knowledge of treatment options and will know the most appropriate treatment option(s) to apply under given conditions Operational Ministry of Forests, Timber Sales BC, and Licensees (planners, silviculturists, forest health specialists) Solutions-focused workshop where expert opinions can be expressed as they relate to current research findings and communicated to the operational Research review workshop and field tour Workshop or conference Cariboo Forest Region, Sept. 5, 2002: 100 Mile House Forest District 12

19 FIGURE 3 Flow chart for Armillaria root rot impact assessment research (D. Morrison, M. Cruickshank, and R. Sturrock of the Canadian Forest Service supplied in reviewer comments on this plan). 13

20 4 EVALUATION Indicators of success are used to determine whether the extension activities have created the desired change. These indicators are listed in Table 5 for each of the general objectives and desired outcomes in the extension strategy. Some of these indicators are achievable in the short-term (1 2 years), while others must be evaluated over a longer term (3 5 years). Table 5 also includes a recommended method for data collection, an estimate of the budget required, and a potential lead agency to conduct the data collection. An Internet-based survey could be used to determine whether the desired changes are achieved. This survey could include questions relating to several of the general objectives and desired outcomes to avoid multiple surveying of the target audiences. Evaluation of the success of the individual extension products should be based on the desired outcomes the chosen techniques should fit the product. For example, the number of hits on a root rot information Web page could be used to evaluate its success, while telephone and surveys could help gauge the success of a workshop. The timing and frequency of the evaluation techniques should reflect the short- or long-term nature of the indicators of success. In some cases, the desired change may be realized immediately after an activity, while in other cases the desired change may take several years to manifest. 4.1 Barriers and Obstacles To fully implement this research and extension strategy, several identified barriers must be overcome. 1. Few trained people are available to conduct research on the fungus and to identify it in the field currently, less than 10 Armillaria root rot researchers work in the province and retirements in the next 5 years will reduce this number even further. The recent downsizing within the provincial government may further exacerbate this problem. 2. Insufficient and unstable funding exists to carry out the research and extension necessary to address the root rot problem. 3. Policy-makers (provincial and federal) require convincing that root disease, in general and Armillaria, in particular, is important. Showing the effects of root diseases on forest productivity is paramount to addressing this issue. Obstacles two and three are related. Conducting and extending research that shows the effects of root diseases on forest productivity may in turn result in an increase in funding to deal with this issue. However, the funds required to assess these effects must be obtained first. Although the existence of these barriers does not prevent meaningful research and extension efforts, their reduction or removal would greatly facilitate the solving of the Armillaria root disease problem. 14

21 TABLE 5 Evaluation of Armillaria root rot extension activities Objective Desired change Indicators of success Data collection method Time frame Evaluation budget Responsibility Increased availability of root rot information Members of the operational and research communities will have increased access to root rot management information Members of the operational and research will report that they have used the provided services to obtain information on root rot Questions in an Internetbased survey of the operational and research Fall 2004 $ for entire survey FORREX: could conduct survey or assist in its development Increased knowledge of biology of Armillaria root rot Operational will have increased knowledge of the biology of root rot and its role within stands and ecosystems Members of the operational will report that they have a better understanding of the biology of root rot and its role within stands and ecosystems Questions in an Internetbased survey of the operational and research Fall 2004 $ for entire survey FORREX Update of government policies or standards that do not fit the nature and biology of root disease Operational will report that government policies and standards more accurately reflect the biology of root disease in forest stands Telephone survey of policy-maker Summer 2004 $1000 FORREX: could conduct survey or assist in its development Increased recognition of the disease in the field Operational will have improved ability to recognize root rot infested stems during during field work for silviculture prescription development Members of the operational will report that fewer undiagnosed root rot issues showed up during post-harvest surveys or treatments Questions in an Internetbased survey of the operational and research Fall 2004 $ for entire survey FORREX Increased knowledge of impacts and risks of the disease Operational will have increased knowledge of the risk of root disease by ecosystem Members of the operational will report that they know in which ecosystems to expect root rot problems Questions in an Internetbased survey of the operational and research Fall 2004 $ for entire survey FORREX Operational will have increased knowledge of short-term impacts of root rot (seedling mortality) and the long-term impact of root rot on growth and yield Members of the operational will report that they are aware of short- and longterm impacts of root rot on plantation performance and growth and yield Questions in an Internetbased survey of the operational and research Fall 2004 $ for entire survey FORREX 15

22 TABLE 5 (Concluded) Objective Desired change Indicators of success Data collection method Time frame Evaluation budget Responsibility Increased knowledge of treatment options Research will have increased knowledge of treatment options and will know the most appropriate treatment option(s) to recommend for application under given conditions Research will report that they have increased knowledge of treatment options and know which treatment option(s) to recommend for application under given conditions Telephone survey of root rot research Summer 2004 $1000 FORREX Operational will have increased knowledge of treatment options and will know the most appropriate treatment option(s) to apply under given conditions Members of the operational will report that they know which root rot treatment options to apply and when Questions in an Internetbased survey of the operational and research Fall 2004 $2000 $3000 for entire survey FORREX 16

23 APPENDIX 1 Research issues raised during the research and extension strategy review process 3 Research issue Relevant objective (Table 3) Detection of the disease in older conifer stands. Armillaria root rot can occur in an active or a quiescent state and may not show readily apparent above-ground symptoms at the tree or stand level. However, in both cases, harvesting can lead to large inoculum build-up in stumps and significant mortality in plantations. Therefore, in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock (ICH) biogeoclimatic zone, preharvest surveys do little to predict post-harvest disease levels. Another common species of Armillaria (A. sinapina) also invades stumps, but is considered a weak parasite of conifers, and unable to cause mortality in thrifty plantations. In stumps, it is virtually indistinguishable from A. ostoyae, and so stump surveys to determine Armillaria root disease hazard are not feasible. Lack of long-term data on changes in mortality rates in plantations over time and on development of the period of quiescence or equilibrium in older stands. Lack of data on the relationship between susceptibility or resistance, site, and tree age of conifer species. Lack of data on susceptibility or resistance of mixed species stands (with hardwoods) vs. single species conifer stands; evidence will be extremely difficult to develop. Increment losses resulting from some root mortality are difficult to detect and measure. Few suitable controls exist. Costs and benefits of various treatments will vary from site to site and include issues of soil disturbance and vegetation management; must determine whether root disease amelioration is the best investment for limited silvicultural dollars. Biology of the disease Disease detection Biology of the disease: Interaction with other root diseases Disease detection Impacts of the disease: Long-term impacts on growth and yield Biology of the disease: Role of the disease in stand dynamics Biology of the disease Biology of the disease Impacts of the disease Treatment options º efficacy of treatments º impacts on other site attributes º applicability º cost/benefit analysis 3 Dr. Bart van der Kamp, University of British Columbia, pers. comm

24 APPENDIX 1 Concluded Research issue Relevant objective (Table 3) Need to gather data on the interaction between new silvicultural approaches, such as various partial cutting and (or) variable retention regimes, and Armillaria. Need to gather data on the pathogen host site weather interactions to predict where problems will occur and explore various treatment options. Pre-commercial thinning and cleaning operations may also trigger additional Armillaria damage. It is not clear whether (and where) such damage will outweigh benefits of the operation. Resource management planning: Non-timber management objectives Biology of the disease Resource management planning: Non-timber management objectives Biology of the disease 18

25 REFERENCES Swift, K Partial cutting information needs assessment for the Nelson Forest Region: Finding solutions : Biological and technical issues. Southern Interior Forest Extension and Research Partnership, Kamloops, B.C. File Report URL: Wiensczyk, A.M Root rot information needs assessment: summary report. Southern Interior Forest Extension and Research Partnership, Kamloops, B.C. File Report URL: 19