Defoliation-Induced Growth Reduction of Pinus sylvestris L. after a Prolonged Outbreak of Diprion pini L.—A Case Study from Eastern Finland

Abstract

The frequency and intensity of insect outbreaks have increased in boreal forests, along with associated impacts on the growth and economic losses of host trees. In Finland, the common pine sawfly (Diprion pini L.) is a serious pest, causing declines in health and growth responses of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). We focused on investigating the species’ defoliating impact on tree radial and volume growth and estimated the economic value of the declined growth. Managed P. sylvestris forests in our study area in eastern Finland have suffered from extended defoliation by D. pini for 15 years since 1999 at varying intensity levels. We classified 184 trees into four defoliation classes and compared annual growth, expressed as growth indices between the classes. We modelled tree volume, estimated economic loss, and compared those to a reference period preceding the initial outbreak. We found significant differences in growth indices between the defoliation classes. Growth losses of 4.2%, 20.8%, and 40.4% were obtained for the mild, moderate, and high defoliation classes, with related economic impacts of 51 €, 272 €, and 734 € per ha for 11 years, respectively. Growth was slightly enhanced in the lowest defoliation class. We suggest that growth-related economic loss caused by D. pini may be significant and depend on defoliation intensity and outbreak duration.