Does the type of silvicultural practice influence spruce budworm defoliation of seedlings?

Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem)) is the main defoliator in boreal forest of North America, and its outbreaks have major ecological economic consequences represent a challenge for management. Numerous studies addressed effects this on mature trees, whereas spruce regeneration remain elusive. Furthermore, intensive exploitation practices during last decades left large area Canadian an early development stage. In context, it becomes vital to understand those factors affecting severity budworm-related defoliation regeneration. Here, we determine black balsam fir seedlings both pure spruce–balsam stands subjected two different silvicultural treatments (clear-cutting partial cutting). Defoliation intensity varied between stand types, treatments, species, height classes. Seedlings experienced twice (black 10% vs. 23%; 29% 47%, respectively). Harvesting methods also influenced seedling defoliation. Under clear-cutting, (24%) were three times as defoliated cutting (8%), clear-cutting plots (42%) (20%). The level increased with height. This study will help strategies adapt natural disturbance regimes. As are expected increase under climate change, these results guide management select harvesting that limit conifer