scholarly journals Ash Presence and Abundance Derived from Composite Landsat and Sentinel-2 Time Series and Lidar Surface Models in Minnesota, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor K. Host ◽  
Matthew B. Russell ◽  
Marcella A. Windmuller-Campione ◽  
Robert A. Slesak ◽  
Joseph F. Knight
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
The State ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Position Information ◽  
Ash Trees

Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) are a prominent species in Minnesota forests, with an estimated 1.1 billion trees in the state, totaling approximately 8% of all trees. Ash trees are threatened by the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), which typically results in close to 100% tree mortality within one to five years of infestation. A detailed, wall-to-wall map of ash presence is highly desirable for forest management and monitoring applications. We used Google Earth Engine to compile Landsat time series analysis, which provided unique information on phenologic patterns across the landscape to identify ash species. Topographic position information derived from lidar was added to improve spatial maps of ash abundance. These input data were combined to produce a classification map and identify the abundance of ash forests that exist in the state of Minnesota. Overall, 12,524 km2 of forestland was predicted to have greater than 10% probability of ash species present. The overall accuracy of the composite ash presence/absence map was 64% for all ash species and 72% for black ash, and classification accuracy increased with the length of the time series. Average height derived from lidar was the best model predictor for ash basal area (R2 = 0.40), which, on average, was estimated as 16.1 m2 ha−1. Information produced from this map will be useful for natural resource managers and planners in developing forest management strategies which account for the spatial distribution of ash on the landscape. The approach used in this analysis is easily transferable and broadly scalable to other regions threatened with forest health problems such as invasive insects.

scholarly journals Comparing Methods for Monitoring Establishment of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis, Coleoptera: Buprestidae) Egg Parasitoid Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Maryland, USA

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 659 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Jennings ◽  
Jian Duan ◽  
Paula Shrewsbury
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Egg Parasitoid ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
The State ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Percent Parasitism ◽  
Ash Trees ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Invasive Beetle

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (EAB), is an invasive beetle that has caused widespread mortality of ash trees in North America. To date, four parasitoids have been introduced in North America for EAB biological control, including the egg parasitoid Oobius agrili Zhang & Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Monitoring EAB egg parasitism is challenging because female beetles oviposit in bark crevices and EAB eggs and O. agrili are small (<1 mm in diameter). Consequently, multiple methods have been developed to recover this parasitoid. Here we compared two methods, visual surveys and bark sifting, used to monitor establishment of O. agrili in Maryland, USA. From 2009 to 2015, a total of 56,176 O. agrili were released at 32 sites across the state. In 2016, we surveyed nine of the study sites for O. agrili establishment using both methods. We compared the amount of time spent searching for eggs separately in each method, and also analyzed the effects of years-post release, total number of parasitoids released, and median month of release, on percent parasitism of EAB eggs, and the percentage of trees per site with parasitized EAB eggs. We found that visually surveying ash trees for EAB eggs was more efficient than bark sifting; the percent parasitism observed using the two methods was similar, but visually surveying trees was more time-efficient. Both methods indicate that O. agrili can successfully establish populations in Maryland, and June may be the best month to release O. agrili in the state. Future research should investigate EAB phenology in the state to help optimize parasitoid release strategies.

Progress in the use of detection dogs for emerald ash borer monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 326-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute Hoyer-Tomiczek ◽  
Gernot Hoch
Keyword(s):  
Urban Forest ◽  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
Test Series ◽  
Detection Accuracy ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Ash Trees ◽  
Scent Detection ◽  
Single Blind

Abstract Early detection of infestation by the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis is extremely difficult; hence developing additional methods is desirable. We built on the successful use of canine scent detection for the invasive long-horned beetles Anoplophora glabripennis and Anoplophora chinensis and trained six dogs in detection of EAB. A first test series was performed to evaluate detection accuracy of five of these dogs. Seven different experimental settings were tested under single blind conditions: (1) forest nursery, (2) piles of firewood, (3) firewood on the ground, (4) ash logs on the ground, (5) old urban ash trees, (6) urban forest with ash trees and (7) natural forest with ash trees. In total, 214 positive samples were presented to the dogs, out of which 20 remained undetected. The experiments ascertained sensitivity (correct positives of all positives) ranging from 73.3 to 100 percent and specificity (correct negatives of all negatives) from 88.9 to 99.8 percent in the tested settings. This initial study demonstrates that trained dogs are able to detect EAB scent from sources such as larval galleries in bark/wood, frass, living or dead larvae or dead dry beetles. The numbers of tested dogs and test series were limited, and further studies are needed to confirm the initial results. However, the preliminary findings demonstrate the potential of the method particularly for inspection of wood or plants at entry points.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Xylem Discoloration in Ash Trees Associated with Macroinjections of a Systemic Insecticide

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Tanis ◽  
Deborah McCullough
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Green Ash ◽  
Pathogen Infection ◽  
White Ash ◽  
Ash Trees ◽  
Canadian Provinces

Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis), first identified near Detroit, Michigan, U.S., in 2002, has killed millions of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in 28 states and two Canadian provinces to date. Trunk injections of insecticide products containing emamectin benzoate (EB) (e.g., TREE-ageR) are often used to protect ash trees in landscapes from EAB, but wounds and potential injury resulting from injections are a concern. Researchers examined 507 injection sites on 61 trees and recorded evidence of secondary wounding (e.g., external bark cracks, internal xylem necrosis and pathogen infection). Researchers assessed 233 injection sites on 22 green ash and 24 white ash trees macro-injected with a low or a medium-high rate of EB in 2008 only, or in both 2008 and 2009. Only 12 of 233 injection sites (5%) were associated with external bark cracks and there was no evidence of pathogen infection. On 39 of the 46 trees (85%), new xylem was growing over injection sites. Researchers assessed 274 injection sites on 15 green ash trees injected annually with EB from 2008 to 2013 or injected in 2008 and again in 2011. Bark cracks were associated with four injection sites on three trees, but no evidence of injury was found on the other 12 trees. All 15 trees had new xylem laid over injection sites. Confocal laser scanning and polarizing digital microscopy were used to assess the integrity of discolored xylem tissue removed from the immediate area surrounding 140 injection sites on 61 trees. Researchers found no evidence of decay associated with discoloration.

scholarly journals Record of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) in Ukraine is Confirmed

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drogvalenko ◽  
Orlova-Bienkowskaja ◽  
Bieńkowski
Keyword(s):  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
European Russia ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
Fraxinus Pennsylvanica ◽  
Ash Trees ◽  
Boring Insect ◽  
Wood Boring

Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a devastating invasive pest of ash trees. This wood-boring insect is native to Asia and established in European Russia about 20 years ago. It severely damages Fraxinus pennsylvanica plantations and quickly spreads. In 2019 we first detected A. planipennis in Ukraine. More than 20 larvae were collected from under the bark of F. pennsylvanica trees on 5 September 2019 in the Markivka District of the Luhansk Region. The coordinates of the localities of collection were 49.614991 N, 39.559743 E; 49.614160 N, 39.572402 E; and 49.597043 N, 39.561811 E. The photos of the damaged trees with larval galleries, exit holes and larvae are presented. It indicates that A. planipennis is established in the east of Ukraine. This fact is important for development of quarantine protocols to prevent or at least slow the further spread of this invasive pest in Europe.

scholarly journals Challenges, tactics and integrated management of emerald ash borer in North America

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah G McCullough
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Ash Trees ◽  
Invasion Impacts ◽  
Individual Trees

Abstract Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), discovered in southeastern Michigan, USA in 2002, has become the most destructive and costly invasive forest insect in North America. This phloem-boring beetle has also invaded Moscow, Russia and continued spread of EAB potentially threatens European ash (Fraxinus spp.) species. This review summarizes EAB life history, including interspecific variation in host preference, invasion impacts and challenges of detecting new infestations and provides an overview of available management tactics. Advances in systemic insecticides, particularly emamectin benzoate products applied via trunk injection, have yielded effective and practical options both to protect individual trees and to slow EAB population growth and ash decline on an area-wide basis without disrupting natural enemies. Economic costs of treating ash are substantially lower than removal costs, retain ecosystem services provided by the trees, reduce sociocultural impacts and conserve genetic diversity in areas invaded by EAB. Girdled ash trees are highly attractive to EAB adults in low-density populations and debarking small girdled trees to locate larval galleries is the most effective EAB detection method. An array of woodpeckers, native larval parasitoids and introduced parasitoids attack EAB life stages but mortality is highly variable. Area-wide management strategies that integrate insecticide-treated trees, girdled ash trap trees and biological control can be adapted for local conditions to slow and reduce EAB impacts.

Estimates of emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) larval galleries in branch samples from asymptomatic urban ash trees (Oleaceae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 148 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean J. Turgeon ◽  
Jeffrey G. Fidgen ◽  
Krista L. Ryall ◽  
Taylor A. Scarr
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
North America ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Predictive Power ◽  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
Significant Source ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Ash Trees

AbstractAgrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is causing extensive mortality of ash (Fraxinus Linnaeus; Oleaceae) in North America. Once detected in an area, resource managers require methods to obtain estimates that could improve management decisions. We studied the within-crown and within-branch distribution and abundance of A. planipennis feeding galleries by sampling 3-m-long branches from asymptomatic urban ash trees and subdividing each branch into 12 sections of 25 cm each. We found galleries in all 12 sections of some, but not all, branches. Section was a significant source of variation in A. planipennis gallery density/m2 of branch surface area. A comparison of predictive power and efficiency of estimates for samples of increasing length, and for samples of the same length but consisting of different combinations of sections, revealed that those based on the two basal 25-cm sections of a branch from the lower-crown or mid-crown of an asymptomatic tree were less accurate and precise than those based on more sections, but were the most cost effective. Whittling more sections per branch, irrespective of the combinations of branch sections per length, improved predictive power but reduced cost effectiveness. We also observed that crown level was not important, and aspect was only marginally so, when estimating gallery abundance per sampled branch.

Developing and integrating tactics to slow ash (Oleaceae) mortality caused by emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah G. McCullough ◽  
Rodrigo J. Mercader ◽  
Nathan W. Siegert
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Project Area ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Ash Trees

AbstractPractical and effective strategies to manage emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are increasingly important given economic and ecological impacts of this invader. While EAB detection remains challenging, tactics are available to protect individual ash (Fraxinus Linnaeus; Oleaceae) trees and slow EAB population growth, thereby delaying ash mortality. Simulations with a coupled map lattice model, parameterised with data from numerous field studies, showed treating trees with a highly effective systemic insecticide (TREE-äge™; emamectin benzoate), would be more effective in slowing EAB population growth than girdling trees to attract ovipositing females then destroying trees before larvae develop, while harvesting ash to reduce available phloem would have the least effect. From 2008 to 2012, cooperators participated in a pilot project to implement an integrated strategy for an EAB infestation in Upper Michigan, United States of America. Ash was inventoried and EAB density monitored using girdled ash detection trees supplemented with baited artificial traps across the >750 km2 project area. While only a tiny fraction of ash trees in the project area were girdled (444–855 trees annually) or injected with TREE-äge™ (<360 roadside trees annually), and treatment distribution was restricted, both treatments slowed EAB population growth. Coupling TREE-äge™ injections with other tactics will likely yield additive or synergistic outcomes.

Assessing and monitoring the vulnerability to drought and climate anomalies of Mediterranenan oak forests by using NDVI

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Castellaneta ◽  
Angelo Rita ◽  
J. Julio Camarero ◽  
Michele Colangelo ◽  
Angelo Nolè ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Ndvi Time Series ◽  
The Impact

&lt;p&gt;Several die-off episodes related to heat weaves and drought spells have evidenced the high vulnerability of Mediterranean oak forests. These events consisted in the loss in tree vitality and manifested as growths decline, elevated crown transparency (defoliation) and rising tree mortality rate. In this context, the changes in vegetation productivity and canopy greenness may represent valuable proxies to analyze how extreme climatic events trigger forest die-off. Such changes in vegetation status may be analyzed using remote-sensing data, specifically multi-temporal spectral information. For instance, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) measures changes in vegetation greenness and is a proxy of changes in leaf area index (LAI), forest aboveground biomass and productivity. In this study, we analyzed the temporal patterns of vegetation in three Mediterranean oak forests showing recent die-off in response to the 2017 severe summer drought. For this purpose, we used an open-source platform (Google Earth Engine) to extract collections of MODIS NDVI time-series from 2000 to 2019. The analysis of both NDVI trends and anomalies were used to infer differential patterns of vegetation phenology among sites comparing plots where most trees were declining and showed high defoliation (test) versus plots were most trees were considered healthy (ctrl) and showed low or no defoliation. Here we discuss: i) the likely offset in NDVI time-series between test- versus ctrl- sites; and ii) the impact of summer droughts &amp;#160;on NDVI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keywords&lt;/strong&gt;: climate change, forest vulnerability, time series, remote sensing.&lt;/p&gt;

Review of the emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), life history, mating behaviours, host plant selection, and host resistance

2015 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese M. Poland ◽  
Yigen Chen ◽  
Jennifer Koch ◽  
Deepa Pureswaran
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Host Resistance ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
The United States ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
Host Plant Selection ◽  
Plant Selection ◽  
Ash Trees

AbstractAs of summer 2014, the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), has become established in 24 states in the United States of America and has killed tens of millions of ash trees since its introduction into Michigan in the 1990s. Considerable research has been conducted on many aspects of EAB life history, natural history, ecology, and management strategies in an attempt to contain this devastating pest. In this article, we review the life history, mating behaviours, and host plant selection by EAB in North America as well as host resistance to EAB attack.

scholarly journals Community Ash Densities and Economic Impact Potential of Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) in Four Midwestern States

2011 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-89
Author(s):  
T. Davis Sydnor ◽  
Matthew Bumgardner ◽  
Sakthi Subburayalu
Keyword(s):  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Community Boundaries ◽  
Ash Trees ◽  
Landscape Value ◽  
Urban Tree Canopy ◽  
State Region ◽  
The Cost

A survey of 586 community representatives with urban tree canopy responsibilities was conducted to provide data on ash density within four states in the Midwestern U.S., and to examine potential economic losses should emerald ash borer (EAB) become established in their communities. One hundred twenty-three responses were received from communities of various sizes. Data represented 10.5% of the population of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, U.S., and 21% of all communities surveyed. Assuming the complete loss of ash due to EAB, losses in landscape value for ash trees within community boundaries were estimated to be between USD $7.7 (median-based) and $15 billion (mean-based). The cost to remove those trees is somewhat smaller and would be between $3 and $5.8 billion. Replacing trees lost to EAB with smaller 5 cm trees in street, park, and private plantings would cost between $2.7 and $5.2 billion. The total loss of ash for communities in the four states surveyed, including landscape losses, tree removals, and replacements are estimated to be between $13.4 and $26 billion. The potential total costs per 1,000 residents in the four-state region is estimated to be between $395,943 and $769,687. The rates per 1,000 residents estimates can be utilized by communities to begin developing contingency plans should EAB impact them.

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