Getting ahead of the front - PowerPoint Presentation

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Getting ahead of the frontEvaluating impacts of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) on forest vegetation in eastern North America

Jason S. Kilgore, Washington & Jefferson CollegeBenjamin J. Dolan, The University of FindlaySlide2
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Introduction to North AmericaSlide4

Introduction to North AmericaSlide5

Current distribution of EABSlide6

Impacts thus far

Altered light regimeIncreases PAR and sapling growth (Burr & McCullough 2014)

Altered nutrient cycling & carbon storage

Increase

in non-ash productivity, particularly maples and elms

Productivity does not offset loss of regional ash productivity (Flower et al. 2013)

Inconsistent response by species

Blue ash has higher survival rates than green ash

(Tanis & McCullogh 2012)Slide7

EAB Impacts Study: hypotheses

Rate of ash decline (from EAB detection to mortality) is positively related to water stress via low precipitation and soil particle size across a continental-scale gradient.

Loss of ash from the overstory will allow more light to penetrate to the forest floor, resulting in an increase in density of seedlings and growth rate of saplings.

Light availability in high ash plots is sufficient to shift understory composition from shade-tolerant to more shade-intolerant tree species (Dolan et al., in prep; but see Flower et al. 2013).

Loss of ash will lead to increases in non-native invasive herbaceous and shrub species and cover (Hausman et al. 2010).

The presence and abundance of certain invasive plants (e.g.,

Alliaria petiolata

, non-native

Lonicera

sp.,

Rosa multiflora

,

Rhamnus cathartica

, and

Ailanthus altissima

) have a disproportionate effect on post-invasion diversity, growth rate of native trees, and time to canopy closure.

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Trees:≥2.5 cm DBH at 1.37 mTags, species

Inventory statusDBH, soundness, crown class (opt), height (opt)

Tree damage

PFPP variables (Plot)

20 m

20 mSlide11

Small Stems:

>1.37 m tall, <2.5 cm DBHSpecies, tally

PFPP variables (Subplot)

20 m

20 mSlide12

EAB variables (Plot)EAB Indicators:

Ash ratingAsh tree breakupEAB exit holes

http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/eab/files/2011/06/D-shaped-exit-holes.jpeg

http://vil.carpentersville.il.us/images/EAB/Canopy%20Dieback%20of%20an%20Ash%20Tree.jpgSlide13

Understory variables (Subplot)

Understory Community:Canopy cover Shrub/saplings (0.3-1.37 m tall)Species, tallySlide14

Understory variables (Miniplot)

Understory Community:Woody seedlings and herbaceous plantsSpecies, tally, cover classSlide15

Distribution vectors (GIS)

Distances to:Major roads and expresswaysStreams and rivers

Railroads

Shipping ports

Distribution centers and manufacturers receiving goods on foreign palletsSlide16

Data collectionUndergraduate students

Upper-level ecology or research coursesGeneral ecology, field biology, etc.Slide17

UF (Ohio) and W&J (Pennsylvania)Similar mature ash density (67-71 trees/ha) and overstory (22%)EAB documented in Hancock County (2005) and Washington County (2009)

Ash mortality higher at UF (100%) than W&J (0%, but 23% with EAB symptoms)

Initial results: mature ashSlide18

Initial results: understorySlide19

Curriculum and collaboration

Labs Independent studiesCross-institutional collaboration

Presentations

colleges

conferences

abstractsSlide20
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Questions?Ben Dolan - dolan@findlay.edu

Jason Kilgore - jkilgore@washjeff.eduhttp://erenweb.org/new-page/emerald-ash-borer-project/Slide22
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emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis

)Slide24
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