Influence of eastern spruce dwarf mistletoe on stand structure and composition in northern Minnesota

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.) is one of the most common tree species in boreal forest. However, there limited information on major disturbance agents, eastern dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum Peck; EDM) a native, parasitic plant that influences stand development especially at southwestern range limit black Minnesota. The goal our study was to quantify overstory and understory (sapling seedling) structure composition productive stands across three EDM severity categories: uninfected (0% EDM), low (<50% infected with high (>50% northern Minnesota during summer 2017. presence infection shifted compared stands. Uninfected were dominated by both average had uni-modal diameter distribution. Both significantly greater richness, Shannon’s diversity index, Evenness infections sapling layer, which will likely kill trees within seventeen years may result shifting forest or transition non-forested conditions. subsequently development. Depending goals objectives ultimate desired future conditions broader landscape level, natural resource managers choose more less intensive management EDM.