Bannister 110

Proliferation of shade-tolerant species during the period of fire exclusion has been put forth as a major driver of increased severity of fire and insect outbreak regimes in mixed-conifer forests of the interior West.  Both fire regimes and insect defoliator outbreak regimes are responsive to closed and multi-storied canopies.  Douglas-fir tussock moth (Orgyia pseudotsugae) and western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis), both major pests in interior West forests, are particularly responsive to the presence of white fir (Abies concolor).  However, quantitative studies chara