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The Hudson Valley is a treasured landscape that has undergone tremendous change over the past century. This forum explores how science-based stewardship on private land can help protect and promote healthy forests and open spaces, now and for future generations. Presentations explore threats our forests and natural areas face – from invasive species and climate change to deer overabundance – and actions that can be taken on a site-by-site basis to optimize conditions. A special focus will be given to the overlap between sport hunting and conservation communities, with a roundtable discussion on advancing common ground. Hosted April 12, 2014 at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Presentation Part III by: Gary Lovett, Forest Ecologist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
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Gary LovettForest Ecologist
Pests, Pathogens and the Future of Hudson Valley Forests
Continuous long-term stresses:1. Invasive forest pests and diseases2. Climate change3. Air pollution/acid rain4. Deer5. Invasive plants
Forests are resilient. So what’s the problem?
Exotic Pests and Pathogens:A Rogue’s Gallery
Hemlock woolly adelgid Emerald ash borer Asian Longhorned Beetle• Chestnut blight• Gypsy moth • Beech bark disease• Dutch elm disease• Balsam woolly adelgid• White pine blister rust• Dogwood anthracnose• Butternut canker• And on and on …
Biological Pollution
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Kelly Oten, NC State U.
Introduced 1951 from Asia
Northern extent set by climate
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
HWA: High, but not complete, mortality at -10 to -20o F
Death of trees
Warming of streams may impact fish
Impacts of HWA Reverberate Though the Ecosystem
Increased nutrient losses
Decline of some bird species
Reversal of natural succession
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Control of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Chemical Control: Horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps, injectable insecticides.
Forest Health Fact Sheet: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid PA DCNR publication dcnr 007179
Biological control: Still in experimental phase
Laricobius nigrinus
Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer
NYS DEC, 2014
EAB Detections, Hudson Valley/Catskills
• Ash trees are about 7% of trees in NY, 4% in CT• Can be dominants in certain areas, particularly wetlands and
successional forests • Appears to be at least 99% lethal to ash• Gradient of ash decline associated with forest structural
changes that influence the bird community
Open Canopy / Dense ShrubClosed Canopy / Sparse Shrub
AC 1 AC 2 AC 3 AC 4 AC 5
From Larry Long, Ohio State University, presented October 2012Photos:Cornell Lab of Ornithology (http://www.birds.cornell.edu)
Impacts of Emerald Ash Borer
Control of Emerald Ash Borer
•Don’t move firewood!
•General Information and report infestations: NYS DEC EAB web site http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html
•Chemical Control: Some options availablewww.emeraldashborer.info
•Biological control: Still in experimental phase
Preview of Coming Attractions
Asian Longhorned Beetle, coming soon to a tree near you!
Costs mostly borne by homeowners and municipal governments
Worcester, MAALB eradication2008-present
More than 30,000 trees
removed
Before AfterPhotos from APHIS PPQ
Outbreaks have occurred in:• Queens• Manhattan• NJ• Chicago• Toronto• Bethel, Ohio• Worcester, Mass
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Can This Problem be Solved? Eradication of established pests is
virtually impossible, but we can slow their spread and buy some time
Biological control has potential but is difficult and risky
We should be focusing on the NEXT pest, not the LAST one
Action is needed at the federal level to control the major vectors: live plants for the nursery trade and wood packing material
What can you do about this?• Use native rather than imported plants in
landscaping• Don’t move firewood• If managing a forest in response to pest outbreaks,
consider:• Impacts of harvesting on the ecosystem• Impacts of pesticides• Long-term health of the tree population
• Contact representatives in Congress
What is the Cary Institute doing?• Research on impacts of pests • Leading an initiative to summarize scientific
information on this issue and use it in an outreach campaign aimed at media and federal legislators.
