scholarly journals Management Strategies for Conservation of Tanoak in California Forests Threatened by Sudden Oak Death: A Disease-Community Feedback Modelling Approach

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1103
Author(s):  
João A. N. Filipe ◽  
Richard C. Cobb ◽  
Maëlle Salmon ◽  
Christopher A. Gilligan

We use a new modelling approach to predict the cumulative impact of Phytophthora ramorum on the dynamic distribution of tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) and other tree species in coastal-Californian forest-communities. We explore the effectiveness of disease-management strategies for the conservation of tanoak at stand level. Forest resources are increasingly threatened by emerging pathogens such as P. ramorum, a generalist that kills hosts and has altered ecosystems in the USA and Europe. In coastal California, P. ramorum has the greatest impact on tanoak through leaf sporulation and lethal bole infections, but also sporulates on the common overstory-tree bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) without significant health impact. Such epidemiological differences impede host-species coexistence and challenge pathogen management. For most disease-impacted natural systems, however, empirical evidence is still insufficient to identify effective and affordable pathogen-control measures for retaining at-risk host populations. Yet, landscape-scale tree mortality requires swift actions to mitigate ecological impacts and loss of biodiversity. We apply a mathematical model of the feedback between disease and forest-community dynamics to assess the impacts of P. ramorum invasion on tanoak under stand-scale disease-management strategies by landowners aiming to retain tanoak and slow disease progression: (1) removal of inoculum through reduction of bay laurel abundance; (2) prevention of tanoak infection through chemical protection (acting epidemiologically like a vaccine); and (3) a combination strategy. The model results indicate that: (1) both bay laurel removal and tanoak protection are required to help maintain tanoak populations; (2) treatment effectiveness depends on forest composition and on threshold criteria; (3) sustainable tanoak conservation would require long-term follow-up of preventive treatments; (4) arresting basal sprouting upon tree removal may help to reduce inoculum. These findings suggest potential treatments for specific forest conditions that could be tested and implemented to reduce P. ramorum inoculum and disease and to conserve tanoak at stand level.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olusola L. Oyesola ◽  
Oluwadurotimi S. Aworunse ◽  
Margaret I. Oniha ◽  
Onyemaechi H. Obiazikwor ◽  
Oluwakemi Bello ◽  
...  

Solanum tuberosum (Potato) is one of the essential economic crops with the potential to reduce hunger due to its high yield per unit area of land compared with many economic crops. However, its yield losses due to pest and disease attacks could be as high as 100%, depending on its tolerance level and pest and disease. Over the years, several disease management strategies have been researched, ranging from synthetic pesticides to the formulation of biopesticides as disease control measures. Moreso, recent breakthroughs in genetic engineering have simplified plant disease management strategies by developing techniques for conferring resistance on plants. Potato is a vital food crop worldwide, and with the struggle to suppress world food insecurity, effective disease management strategies must be employed for high production of quality and quantity potato, enough to feed the ever-increasing world population. Therefore, attention must be given to how disease-free potatoes can be produced to meet the unending demand for food by the continually increasing world population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (V) ◽  
pp. 286-304
Author(s):  
Shadrack Musunkui Towett ◽  
Isaac Naibei ◽  
Williter Rop

In an attempt to bridge the gap between the budgetary allocations and actual expenditures most universities have started income generating units with the aim of boosting their operational expenses. Whereas there is the potential of the use of Income Generating Units (IGUs) to generate additional funds, most universities still experience challenges in full implementation and realization of the revenue goal. This study therefore sought to determine the financial control mechanisms affecting performance of income generating units among selected public universities. The study sought to determine the effect of internal controls, credit policies, financial risk management and internal audit on performance of income generating units in selected universities. Targeted population was all the 290 employees in the IGU departments of selected public universities. The respondents were sampled using simple random sampling so as to enable equal representation of the target population without any biasness. Data collection was done using the questionnaire to ensure sufficient data was collected from the respondents. Descriptive statistics assisted in the determination of respondent’s views and opinions on every variable. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis into meaningful, precise and comprehensive statements and presented in quotations. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21 and data presented in form of figures and tables. The study ensured that all ethical considerations were considered by the study. The findings were that most employed Income Generating Units in Public Universities were Collection of rental fees, Evening and executive programs and Trainings of both short and long courses while the least was established to be Sales of memorabilia and books. All the financial control mechanism investigated namely internal audit, internal control measures, risk management strategies and credit policies had large extents of adoption in the selected universities. The results of the regression analysis showed that the financial control mechanisms investigated had a significant positive relationship on performance of the IGUs. Specifically, 47% of the variation of the performance of IGUs was established to be explained by the studied factors. The study concluded that the performance of the IGUs among the selected public universities was largely accounted for by the implemented financial control measures. Therefore effective financial control mechanisms is concluded to lead to better IGU performance whereas shortcomings in the financial control mechanisms is concluded to lead to diminished returns in the IGUs. The study recommended that the management in charge of the IGU department in the public universities to prioritize the formulation, implementation and monitoring of financial control mechanisms in the IGUs. To facilitate effective financial controls, the study recommended that the management especially those in the audit section to conduct regular checks and inspections on the IGUs. Additionally, frequent reforms were recommended to address the shortcomings experienced in integrating financial control measures in IGUs.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 509e-509
Author(s):  
Robert P. Rice

The Cal Poly philosophy of “Learn and Understand by Doing” has been integrated with problem-based learning and the use of the latest technology to produce a class that closely simulates real-life pest control situations. Goals of the class, Disease and Pest Control Systems for Ornamental Plants, are to teach students pest monitoring, control and problem solving techniques, the use of resources including the internet and journals, and the use of the latest pest control equipment and application techniques. Students are shown pest situations and then work in groups to diagnose the problem, investigate management strategies, apply control measures, and monitor results. Weekly class presentations inform the class of the various projects and help to teach the class organization and presentation skills. Student evaluations and test performance have demonstrated that students achieve class objectives substantially better with the problem-based learning approach than with the previous lecture-based approach to the class.


1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 25-33
Author(s):  
A. J. Jakeman ◽  
P. G. Whitehead ◽  
A. Robson ◽  
J. A. Taylor ◽  
J. Bai

The paper illustrates analysis of the assumptions of the statistical component of a hybrid modelling approach for predicting environmental extremes. This shows how to assess the applicability of the approach to water quality problems. The analysis involves data on stream acidity from the Birkenes catchment in Norway. The modelling approach is hybrid in that it uses: (1) a deterministic or process-based description to simulate (non-stationary) long term trend values of environmental variables, and (2) probability distributions which are superimposed on the trend values to characterise the frequency of shorter term concentrations. This permits assessment of management strategies and of sensitivity to climate variables by adjusting the values of major forcing variables in the trend model. Knowledge of the variability about the trend is provided by: (a) identification of an appropriate parametric form of the probability density function (pdf) of the environmental attribute (e.g. stream acidity variables) whose extremes are of interest, and (b) estimation of pdf parameters using the output of the trend model.


Author(s):  
Dung Le ◽  
Kris Audenaert ◽  
Geert Haesaert

AbstractFusarium basal rot (FBR) is a soil-borne disease that affects Allium species worldwide. Although FBR has long been recognized as a major constraint to the production of economically important Allium species, information that could support disease management remains scattered. In this review, the current knowledge on the causal agents, symptomology and epidemiology, impact, and management strategies of FBR is synthesized. We highlight that FPR is associated with different complexes of several Fusarium species, of which Fusarium oxysporum and F. proliferatum are the most prevalent. These pathogenic complexes vary in composition and virulence, depending on sites and hosts, which can be challenging for disease management. Research to improve disease management using chemical pesticides, resistance cultivars, biocontrol agents, and cultural practices has achieved both promising results and limitations. Finally, research needs and future directions are proposed for the development of effective FBR management strategies.


Author(s):  
Perran Ross

Mosquitoes carrying endosymbiotic bacteria called Wolbachia are being released in mosquito and arbovirus control programs around the world. Open field releases of Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes have achieved over 95% population suppression, while the replacement of populations with Wolbachia-infected females is self-sustaining and can greatly reduce local dengue transmission. Despite many successful interventions, significant questions and challenges lie ahead. Wolbachia, viruses and their mosquito hosts can evolve, leading to uncertainty around the long-term effectiveness of a given Wolbachia strain, while few ecological impacts of Wolbachia releases have been explored. Wolbachia strains are diverse and the choice of strain to release should be made carefully, taking environmental conditions and the release objective into account. Mosquito quality control, thoughtful community awareness programs and long-term monitoring of populations are essential for all types of Wolbachia intervention. Releases of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes show great promise, but existing control measures remain an important way to reduce the burden of mosquito-borne disease.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Kate Glidden ◽  
Laurel C. Field ◽  
Silke Bachhuber ◽  
Shannon M. Hennessey ◽  
Robyn Cates ◽  
...  

The incidence of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) has increased in wildlife populations in recent years and is expected to continue to increase with global change. Marine diseases in particular are relatively understudied compared to terrestrial disease, but they can disrupt ecosystem resilience, cause economic loss, or threaten human health. While there are many existing tools to combat the direct and indirect consequences of EIDs, these management strategies are often insufficient or ineffective in marine habitats compared to their terrestrial counterparts, often due to fundamental differences in marine and terrestrial systems. Here, we first illustrate how the marine environment and marine organism life history present challenges or opportunities for wildlife disease management. We then assess the application of common disease management strategies to marine versus terrestrial systems to identify those that may be most effective for marine disease outbreak prevention, response, and recovery. Finally, we recommend multiple actions that will enable more successful management of marine wildlife disease emergencies in the future. These include prioritizing marine disease research and understanding its links to climate change, preventatively increasing marine ecosystem health, forming better monitoring and response networks, developing marine veterinary medicine programs, and enacting policy that addresses marine and other wildlife disease. Overall, we encourage a more proactive rather than reactive approach to marine conservation in general and to marine wildlife disease in particular and emphasize that multi-disciplinary collaborations are key to managing marine wildlife health.


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