scholarly journals Estimating the Potential for Forest Degradation in the Eastern United States Woodlands from an Introduction of Sudden Oak Death

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1334
Author(s):  
Dillon J. Haller ◽  
Michael C. Wimberly
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
National Park ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Phytophthora Ramorum ◽  
Sudden Oak Death ◽  
Connectivity Analysis ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Great Smoky Mountains ◽  
Smoky Mountains ◽  
In The Wild

Research Highlights: This research identified areas of the eastern United States forests that may be at particular risk from Sudden Oak Death (SOD) if it becomes established in the region. The highest suitability for SOD occurs where there are both species at risk of serious infection and species that could spread SOD to new hosts. Background and Objectives: SOD, caused by Phytophthora ramorum, can cause serious damage to forests. Although SOD is not believed to exist in the wild in the eastern United States, the presence of potential P. ramorum hosts in the area has led to questions about the potential for its establishment there. The present project expanded on previous efforts by examining both the possibility and potential consequences of P. ramorum establishment based on the presence of suitable hosts. Materials and Methods: We developed a map of the potential severity of tree loss that could result from a P. ramorum establishment in the eastern United States as well as a habitat suitability index based on the density of P. ramorum susceptible and spreader host species. We also implemented a connectivity analysis method for determining patches important to the spread of P. ramorum in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Results: The Ozarks and Appalachians both had a high potential severity of infection due to their high percentage of susceptible species, but the Appalachians had a higher overall level of risk due to the presence of more spreader tree species in the area. Connectivity analysis in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park identified patches likely to be particularly important to P. ramorum spread. Conclusions: Analysis of the presence of potential P. ramorum hosts in the eastern United States identified suitable conditions for SOD establishment there, particularly in the Appalachians. Techniques developed in this research can identify critical areas for SOD spread at both landscape and regional scales.

Diversity and taxonomic review of Leptusa Kraatz (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U.S.A., with descriptions of four new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2662 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JONG-SEOK PARK ◽  
CHRISTOPHER E. CARLTON ◽  
MICHAEL L. FERRO
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Great Smoky Mountains ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
Taxonomic Review ◽  
Smoky Mountains ◽  
First Time

A taxonomic review of the genus Leptusa Kraatz from Great Smoky Mountains National Park is presented. Ten species are recognized, and four new species are described and illustrated: L. (Adoxopisalia) pseudosmokyiensis Park & Carlton, sp. nov., L. (A.) stocksi Park & Carlton, sp. nov., L. (Dysleptusa) gimmeli Park & Carlton, sp. nov., and L. (Eucryptusa) ferroi Park & Carlton, sp. nov. The previously undescribed female of L. (D.) pusio (Casey) is also reported for the first time. Descriptions, habitus illustrations and line drawings of diagnostic characters of all species occurring in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are provided. A key is provided that will allow discrimination of 16 of the 18 species of Leptusa known to occur in the eastern United States. “Overlooked Syndrome”, the phenomena where undescribed species persist in a well known fauna, is defined and discussed.

scholarly journals A New Species of Land Planarian, Diporodemus merridithae, and Cohabitant Specimens from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina, U.S.A

2013 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Benny C. Glasgow
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
The United States ◽  
Internal Anatomy ◽  
Great Smoky Mountains ◽  
Smoky Mountains ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Land Planarian

Abstract A new endemic species of land planarian, Diporodemus merridithae, belonging to subfamily Microplaninae is described from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is the first report of a new land planarian of the subfamily Microplaninae from the United States since 1954 (Hyman 1954). Species external and internal anatomy is described using photographs and a drawing and notes on species distribution, habitat, and conservation are provided. Identifications and previous reports of land planarians from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the United States, and Europe is discussed, as are collections of two cohabitants and the observation of asexual reproduction observed in one cohabitant specimen.

Highlights from 10+ Years of Lichenological Research in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Celebrating the United States National Park Service Centennial

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 943-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin A. Tripp ◽  
James C. Lendemer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North America ◽  
National Park ◽  
National Park Service ◽  
The United States ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Great Smoky Mountains ◽  
Service Staff ◽  
Smoky Mountains ◽  
Park Service

Abstract—Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned as one of the most biologically diverse tracts of land in North America and is the most visited national park in the United States. The park comprises ∼830 square miles, epitomizes eastern temperate hardwood forests of North America, and serves as a refuge for nearly 20,000 documented species from microbes to plants and mammals. Lichens comprise one particularly diverse group of organisms in the park. In this study, we review data from our 11 years of lichenological research in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Based on approximately 6,000 new field collections generated, the park checklist now includes 920 species, a 129% increase over estimates made two decades ago. Nearly a quarter of the lichens reported in the park are known from only a single occurence whereas only 7% of the lichens are known from 20 or more occurences. An assessment of commonness/rarity for all 920 species indicates that nearly half of the park's lichens should be considered to be infrequent, rare, or exceptionally rare. We assessed the distributions of all 920 species and found that 54 are endemic to the southeastern United States, 30 are endemic to the southern Appalachians, and eight occur nowhere else than within the confines of the national park. We discuss biogeographical affinities of the park's lichen biota as a whole, delimiting six regional “floristic” connections. Our 11 years of research have resulted in the discovery of several species presumed to be extinct or near-extinct. We make one new combination (Fuscopannaria frullaniae) and describe five species as new to science, each commemorating National Park Service staff instrumental to the completion of the study: Heterodermia langdoniana, Lecanora darlingiae, Lecanora sachsiana, Leprocaulon nicholsiae, and Pertusaria superiana.

Using Spatial Modeling to Improve Wetland Inventories in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 482
Author(s):  
Alix A. Pfennigwerth ◽  
Joshua Albritton ◽  
Troy Evans
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Modeling ◽  
National Park ◽  
Great Smoky Mountains ◽  
Smoky Mountains
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