Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

One of the most important threats to the Noteć Forest is connected with outbreaks of insect pests that have a major influence on tree crown defoliation. The number, frequency and dynamics of pest reproduction as well as the rate of spreading of primary pests outbreaks in the Noteć Forest are unique and incomparable to any other forest complex in the country. This phenomenon is enhanced as a result of the size of this large forest complex of pine stands characterised by high stand density as well as even-aged stands that grow on sandy soils. It is a great challenge to maintain the sustainability of stands on such poor sites. Therefore, it is important to constantly monitor the population of harmful insects. The basis for undertaking effective action is to properly determine the location of areas of permanent outbreak epicentres, which in the Noteć Forest occupy over 90 thousand hactares. The earliest increase in insect pests population size (e.g. nun moth, pine moth, pine beauty moth) are typically observed in the areas of permanent outbreak epicentres.