Large-scale risk mapping of an eruptive bark beetle - Importance of forest susceptibility and beetle pressure

We demonstrate that high-resolution risk-rating maps can be successfully created for large landscapes using easily accessible satellite data of forest characteristics and aerial surveys of infestation spots. The distribution of killed trees in many small infestation spots, poses a challenge for the forest owners to find and remove colonized trees before the new generation emerge. Our results suggest that mitigation efforts in managed lowland forest should focus on high volume spruce stands.