Potential impacts of emerald ash borer and adaptation strategies on wildlife communities in black ash wetlands
Alexis R. GrindeMelissa B. YoungquistRobert A. SlesakStephen KolbeJosh D. BednarBrian J. PalikAnthony W. D’Amato
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Abstract Black ash wetlands cover approximately 1.2 million ha of wetland forest in the western Great Lakes region, providing critical habitat for wildlife. The future of these wetlands is critically threatened by a variety of factors, including emerald ash borer ( Agrilus planipennis ; emerald ash borer [EAB]), which has been eliminating native populations of otherwise healthy ash throughout the Great Lakes region since it was discovered in 2002. To quantify the potential impacts of tree mortality from EAB on wildlife communities, we measured seasonal bird, mammal, and amphibian diversity in black ash wetlands using a dual approach: (1) documenting bird and amphibian species across 27 mature reference black ash wetlands in northern Minnesota, USA and (2) assessing how bird, mammal, and amphibian communities respond to experimental manipulations of black ash forests that emulate mortality and management strategies related to the potential impact of EAB. In total, 85 wildlife species were recorded for the entire study including 57 bird species, 5 amphibian species, and 23 mammal species. Results from the reference sites show that hydrologic regime, percentage of ash canopy cover, and understory cover were important habitat characteristics for bird and amphibian communities. Results from the experimental sites show there may be short‐term increases in species richness for mammal and bird communities associated with changes in forest structure due to ash mortality; however, anticipated changes resulting from EAB‐caused mortality, particularly the conversion of these sites to non‐forested wetlands, will lead to significant shifts in bird and mammal community composition. Loss of ash may cause declines in forest‐dependent species and increases in open‐canopy and wetland‐associated species. Additionally, whereas increased ponding extent and longer hydroperiods may be beneficial for some amphibian species, the loss of the forest canopy will result in an overall decrease in bird diversity and reduce forest connectivity for all species. Our results indicate the potential for significant large‐scale impacts of black ash mortality on forest‐associated wildlife. Management strategies that focus on establishing alternative trees species to maintain long‐term forest cover and structural complexity in these wetlands will help to maintain and conserve wildlife diversity.Keywords:
Emerald ash borer
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Emerald ash borer (A. planipennis) (EAB) has had a devastating effect on ash (Fraxinus) species since its introduction to North America and has resulted in altered ecological processes across the area of infestation. Monitoring is an important tool for understanding and managing the impact of this threat, and the use of common methods by the many groups engaged in monitoring increases the value of monitoring data. We provide detailed methods for monitoring populations of ash trees, emerald ash borers, and lingering ash trees. These comprehensive methods can assist ecologists and managers in understanding the dynamics and effects of EAB infestations. Choice among these methods depends on the scientific and policy questions of interest and the stage of infestation being monitored.
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Emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), a phloem-feeding beetle native to Asia, was discovered near Detroit, MI, and Windsor, ON, in 2002. As of March 2009, isolated populations of EAB have been detected in nine additional states and Quebec. EAB is a highly invasive forest pest that has the potential to spread and kill native ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) throughout the United States. There is little scientific literature on the number of ash trees in developed areas, the cost of treating trees to prevent infestation, and the cost of removing trees in response to infestation.
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The ability of emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, to survive following chipping or grinding of infested ash trees remains a critical question for regulatory officials. In October 2002, we felled eight infested ash trees and sampled sections of the trunk and large branches from each tree to estimate EAB density.
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In 2002, the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, a buprestid beetle native to Northeast Asia, was discovered as the cause of extensive ash tree (Fraxinus spp.) mortality in southern Michigan and Ontario.
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The ability of invasive species to invade native landscapes may be influenced by community composition. Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) has already caused considerable mortality of ash in southeast Michigan forests and is now invading forests in northwest Ohio.
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Emerald ash borer
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Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), an invasive pest native to Asia, has killed millions of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees in North America since it was first discovered there in 2002. As of autumn 2011, A. planipennis has been detected in 15 US states and two Canadian provinces. A pilot project to slow the onset and progression of ash mortality, termed SLAM (SLow Ash Mortality), has been implemented in localized A. planipennis populations. Here we use spatially explicit simulations to evaluate the potential of a recently developed systemic insecticide to protect the ash resource in urban forests as a component of the SLAM approach. Over a 10-year horizon, simulations showed ash survival varied depending on: (i) how soon insecticide treatment began after the A. planipennis introduction; (ii) the proportion of trees treated; and (iii) the distribution of treated trees relative to the A. planipennis introduction point. Annual treatment of 20% of ash trees annually protected 99% of trees after 10 years, and the cumulative costs of treatment were substantially lower than costs of removing dead or severely declining ash trees.
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Abstract Pests and disease have become an increasingly common issue as globalized trade brings non-native species into unfamiliar systems. Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), is an Asiatic species of boring beetle currently devastating the native population of ash (Fraxinus) trees in the northern forests of the United States, with 85 million trees having already succumbed across much of the Midwest. We have developed a reaction-diffusion partial differential equation model to predict the spread of emerald ash borer over a heterogeneous 2-D landscape, with the initial ash tree distribution given by data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis. As expected, the model predictions show that emerald ash borer consumes ash which causes the local ash population to decline, while emerald ash borer spreads outward to other areas. Once the local ash population begins to decline emerald ash borer also declines due to the loss of available habitat. Our model’s strength lies with its focus on the county scale and its linkage between emerald ash borer population growth and ash density. This enables one to make accurate predictions regarding emerald ash borer spread which allows one to consider various methods of control as well as to accurately study the economic effects of emerald ash borer spread.
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Since its discovery in 2002, the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), appears to be living up to expectations and predictions about its potential spread and destruction of ash trees, Fraxinus spp., in North America.
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The exotic emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), was first discovered in North America in Detroit, MI, in 2002. This beetle has killed millions of ash trees in several states in the United States and in Canada, and populations of this insect continue to be detected. EAB is difficult to detect when it invades new areas or occurs at low density. For the foreseeable future, trap tree and ground surveys will be important tools for detecting emerald ash borer populations.
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