POSTER: Bark BVOC emissions from Norway spruce (Picea abies) significantly increase when infested by spruce bark beetles (Ips typographus)

Description

Spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) is one of the main disturbance agents to mature spruce forests in Europe and the risk of outbreak is amplified by climate change through increased storm felling, tree drought stress and an additional generation of beetles per year. Bark beetles normally attack stressed trees, but during outbreaks also healthy trees are killed. Norway spruce (Picea abies) defend themselves by drenching the beetles in resin containing biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) which vary if the spruce is attacked or not. The aim of this study was to quantify BVOC emissions from healthy and infested trees to increase the understanding of the defense mechanisms in spruce trees. The results show a 120-fold increase in BVOC emissions from infested trees compared to healthy trees and a change in the chemical composition. The finalized results expect to improve the understanding of how spruce trees are affected by stress from bark beetles, and if bark beetle infestation can result in significantly increased carbon emission from BVOCs.

Period	2022 May 16
Event title	Swedish Climate Symposium 2022
Event type	Conference
Location	Norrköping, SwedenShow on map