Explanations of a Changing Landscape: A Critical Examination of the British Columbia Bark Beetle Epidemic

Brian Petersen and Diana Stuart
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Brian Petersen: Environmental Studies Program, Western Michigan University, 1903 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA
Diana Stuart: Sociology and Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, 3700 East Gull Lake Drive, Hickory Corners, MI 49060, USA

Environment and Planning A, 2014, vol. 46, issue 3, 598-613

Abstract: This paper focuses on an unprecedented bark beetle epidemic in British Columbia, Canada. The epidemic has killed vast areas of forests, with significant impacts to ecosystems and timber-dependent communities. Explanations of this outbreak continue to overlook or underemphasize important actors and relationships. This paper offers a more detailed explanation of the actors and processes involved in the outbreak and associated responses. Political ecology was applied to guide this analysis, emphasizing both the ecological and social factors involved. Research methods entailed an extensive literature review and over seventy interviews with scientists, policy makers, land managers, and elected officials. Findings illustrate how the outbreak involved many actors, beyond bark beetles and trees, and resulted from complex interactions between ecological and social factors. This study also reveals how actors that prioritized short-term economic gains shaped the conditions that fostered the outbreak and continue to constrain responses. This study illustrates how applications of political ecology that give increased attention to ecology are necessary to fully understand the drivers of environmental change.

Keywords: forest management; mountain pine beetles; political ecology; British Columbia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:envira:v:46:y:2014:i:3:p:598-613

DOI: 10.1068/a4672

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