Changes in Water Status and Carbon Allocation in Conifers Subjected to Spruce Budworm Defoliation and Consequences for Tree Mortality and Forest Management

Abstract The ability of forests to provide ecosystem services and renewable goods faces several challenges related insect defoliation. Spruce budworm outbreaks represent one the major natural disturbances in boreal forest eastern North America. In this chapter, we will focus on effects defoliation by spruce balsam fir black trees. We first describe tree water status depending duration then present response springtime starch reserves radial growth at different levels summarize four mechanisms explain mortality under consequences for management.