FRST 351 - Forest Pathology

Welcome

Forests are managed for a great variety of objectives (e.g. timber, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, recreation, water quality, etc.).  Maintaining a healthy forest that is resilient to disease is critical to meeting management objectives.  For example, consider how the ability of a forest to sequester carbon could be compromised due to slow growth and excessive mortality due to ill health.

This course provides an introduction to the major forest tree diseases in B.C. and includes includes coverage of fungal pathogens, parasitic plants, wildlife, and other biotic and abiotic agent.  Biology of the disease agent, damage, diagnostics (signs & symptoms), ecological role, and control methods are examined.  Prerequisite knowledge of forest ecology, plant physiology and dendrology is an asset.  Major diseases covered include:

• stem decays

• root disease

• wilts

• cankers

• dwarf mistletoes

• rusts

• foliar disease

• climatic factors

• wildlife