Spruce budworm decision support system: lessons learned in development and implementation

Abstract

Spruce budworm ( Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) outbreaks are natural disturbances that cause heavy spruce–fir mortality in eastern Canada and thereby result in large uncertainty in forest structure and productivity. The Spruce Budworm Decision Support System (SBW DSS) was developed by the Canadian Forest Service from 1992 to 1996. From 1996 to 1999, it was operationally implemented, on a cost-shared basis with industry and the provincial government, on all 8 million hectares of forest in New Brunswick, Canada; it is also being implemented for test landbases in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. The SBW DSS models marginal timber supply benefits (m 3/ha) and the forest structure consequences of alternative management actions and facilitates incorporation of effects of insect damage into forest management planning. It permits evaluation of costs, benefits, and consequences of management, optimizes pesticide use (if desired), and improves visualization of the consequences of pest outbreaks and management strategies on forest performance indicators. We will describe the SBW DSS and discuss lessons learned related to funding and partnerships, DSS design and development, training and implementation, and future directions for the system. Many of the lessons learned are applicable to a wide variety of forest management DSS.