PARTNERS: Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science at Clemson University

SUMMARY: A study is proposed that would use previous research to: predict the probability of the occurrence of southern pine beetle (SPB) infestations, including where they may occur in South Carolina’s southeastern piedmont and lower coastal plain and how much damage they will do to the forests in the viewsheds; and identify the best management practice to prevent or minimize the losses. This knowledge will be incorporated into GIS and 3D visualization techniques to evaluate the impact on the view and aesthetic quality of forested landscapes in both the piedmont and lower coast.

STATUS: Ongoing

PROGRESS: A GIS-based SPB spot growth model has been developed to simulate SPB spot growth in three stand densities (low, medium, and high), two species compositions (pure pine stand and mixed pine and hardwood stands), and two stand ages (young and mature stands). [View the simulation videos here.] Researchers have also generated 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional visualizations to compare landscape patterns from different silvicultural treatments before (1999), during (2002), and after (2006) the occurrence of SPB infestations in Clemson Experimental Forest in Clemson, SC. [View the visualizations here.]

LINKS: Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science

CONTACT: Bo Song, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, bosong@clemson.edu or (843) 545-5673