A glimpse at future forests: predicting the effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora ramorum</Emphasis> on oak forests of southern Appalachia |
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Authors: | H L Spaulding L K Rieske |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, S-225 Ag North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA; |
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Abstract: | The highly pathogenic Phytophthora ramorum, causal organism of sudden oak death (SOD), is established in forests of the Pacific Northwest (USA) and is threatening invasion
of other regions. Given the breadth of its host range, with dozens of asymptomatic ornamental hosts and with oaks, Quercus spp., in the red oak (Erythrobalanus) subgenus particularly susceptible, we investigated the consequences of its invasion and establishment in oak-dominated deciduous
forests of the eastern USA. We evaluated the nature and extent of pathogen invasion using vegetation assessments coupled with
growth simulations. The woody plant community was assessed in three strata (upper, mid- and lower) and was used to characterize
forest composition and structure. Using the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS), we then projected woody vegetation growth 50 years
into the future with and without the effects of SOD. In forest simulations lacking pathogen invasion, little change in composition
or structure is forecasted. Both red oaks and white oaks (subgenus Leucobalanus) increase slightly but significantly over the length of the simulation. In contrast, in SOD-affected forests our projections
predict a significant loss of red oaks within 10 years of pathogen invasion. Basal area of white oaks and non-oaks is expected
to increase more so in the absence of red oaks. The loss of red oaks to pathogen infection will result in greater increases
in red maple, Acer rubrum, and yellow poplar, Liriodendron
tulipifera, than in forests free of SOD. Loss of red oak represents a significant loss of hard mast, with potentially devastating consequences
for wildlife. Red oak loss will also affect decomposition rates, nutrient cycling, forest structure, and timber values, with
consequences for forest health and sustainability. |
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