Natural regeneration of ponderosa pine: Pest management strategies for seed predators

Reliance on natural regeneration for reforestation of ponderosa pine forest s is increasing as operational budgets decline and public hostility against intensive silvicultural methods increases. Seed predation by small mammals , however, remains an important cause of natural regeneration failure. Dire ct measures for seed predator control have been tested but have enjoyed onl y limited success. The best apparent opportunity for avoiding seed predator losses is to schedule harvests during years of large seed crops, when seed fall exceeds consumption and seed viability rates are high. Integrated pest management planning for natural regeneration should emphasize reforestatio n goals rather than pest eradication.