Towards Sustainable Forest Management in Central America: Review of Southern Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann) Outbreaks, Their Causes, and Solutions

Abstract

Outbreaks of the southern pine beetle (SPB) Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann in Central America have had a devastating impact on pine forests. It remains unclear to what extent these outbreaks are caused by the beetle’s ecology, climate, and historical management practices. Using research data and experience accumulated in northern latitudes to guide management of forests in Central America is associated with great uncertainty, given the many unique features of the conifer forests in this region. The main recommendation from this review is that Central American bark beetle outbreaks need to be studied locally, and the local climate, biotic elements, and silvicultural history need to be considered. The key to reducing the impacts of SPB in Central America are local research and implementation of proactive management, in order to facilitate the establishment of forests more resilient to increasing environmental and anthropogenic pressures.

Abundance of the Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno (Trogoniformes, Trogonidae) in the tourist sector of a cloud forest reserve

“…The restoration of non-breeding spaces at low elevations becomes especially important considering the effects of the degradation of pine forests by the southern bark beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, 1868), increase of human settlements, and urbanization in the core zone, buffer zones, and areas immediately surrounding La Tigra National Park (Rivera et al 2010;Coello-Balthasar et al 2011;Gomez et al 2020) that threaten the survival of the species during the altitudinal migration. Factors such as these aggravate the historical threats of La Tigra such as the existence of private lands within the park area, illegal logging, forest fires, and the expansion of the agricultural frontier (Richards 1996;Bonta 2005).…”

The Vision of Managing for Pest-Resistant Landscapes: Realistic or Utopic?

“…It remains to be seen whether such practices can be sustained in this region or if (as in the European spruce beetle example) environmental change such as drought frequency and severity might reduce the efficacy of these approaches [ 84 , 85 ]. Indeed, southern pine beetle remains a serious problem in Central America where such intensive forestry is not yet possible [ 90 ].…”

Diversity and Evolution of Entomocorticium (Russulales, Peniophoraceae), a Genus of Bark Beetle Mutualists Derived from Free-Living, Wood Rotting Peniophora

“…Surprisingly, this even includes important pest species. For example, the southern pine beetle (SPB), Dendroctonus frontalis (Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Hylurgini) is the most economically important pest in pine plantations across the Southern USA and Central America [9]. The biology, ecology and management of this beetle have been extensively investigated [9][10][11].…”

“…For example, the southern pine beetle (SPB), Dendroctonus frontalis (Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Hylurgini) is the most economically important pest in pine plantations across the Southern USA and Central America [9]. The biology, ecology and management of this beetle have been extensively investigated [9][10][11]. The southern pine beetle has also served as a model system for understanding symbiotic interactions between beetles and fungi [12,13].…”