Summary
Forestry research paper No. 33E
Even though insect outbreaks have been known for centuries in Canadian forests, the economics of control measures was almost completely ignored till recently. This paper presents the highlights and main results of an economic study prepared in 1972 under the auspices of the Québec Department of Lands and Forests Research Service, concerning the feasibility of aerial spraying against spruce budworm. This study arrives at a general pest control policy by comparing nine spraying alternatives in terms of economic criteria. The marginal approach of economic analysis is used. One pre-condition set was that spraying policy must be integrated with other forest policies. The study is based upon certain assumptions concerning entomology, forest management, and economics.
One of the most economically feasible spraying options indicated an 8% rate of return on investment in terms of direct value saved (stumpage value only). It calls for the spraying of softwood and mixedwood stands, for two successive years, then a halt to spraying for two years, and so on till the end of the outbreak.
Without treatment, the minimum annual loss in the outbreak area in Québec could present, over the next forty year period, the following picture:
1- Over two million cunits of timber destroyed (5,6 millions cubic metres)
2- 12,6 million dollars in lost stumpage dues from public forests;
3- 14,7 million dollars in lost taxes;
4- 63,2 million dollars in lost salaries and wages;
5- 17 000 fewer jobs.
File
Sector(s):
Forests
Categorie(s):
Forestry Research Paper
Theme(s):
Forestry Research, Forests
Author(s)
NADEAU, Jean-Paul
Year of publication :
1977
Format :
Keywords :
economical analysis, epidemic, conifer, Picea, épinette, spruce budworm, aerial spraying, rentabilité, forest management, insect, mémoire de recherche forestière
This publication exists in other language: Aspects économiques de la lutte contre la présente épidémie de tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette au Québec
