ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF EMERALD ASH BORER DAMAGE AT THE JOHN HUSTON NATURE CENTER

The emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is affecting the American ash tree in most of the mid-western states. The effects of EAB are apparent in southeast Stark County, Ohio. This project examines the implication of EAB damage on forest success which has management implications....

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Ohio journal of science Vol. 118; no. 1; p. A38
Main Authors Stallman, Jacob A, McClaughty, Charles A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Columbus Ohio Academy of Science 01.04.2018
Subjects
Acer saccharum
Agrilus planipennis
Canopies
Deciduous trees
Densitometers
Ecological succession
Forest management
Forests
Fraxinus americana
Herbivores
Indigenous species
Liriodendron tulipifera
Rosa multiflora
Trees
United States > US
Ohio
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Summary:The emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is affecting the American ash tree in most of the mid-western states. The effects of EAB are apparent in southeast Stark County, Ohio. This project examines the implication of EAB damage on forest success which has management implications. During the fall of 2017, all 240 ash (Fraxinus americana L) trees were dead or dying in a 2.16-hectare plot in the northwest quadrant of the nature center; they were tagged, surveyed and mapped using GPS. The percentage canopy cover was measured using a spherical densitometer at 20 points along transects through the plot. All the trees that were tagged were infested with the emerald ash borer. The only healthy trees were 5 saplings. The mean diameter at breast height (DBH) of infected trees was 31.3 cm and DBH values ranged from 10.9 to 71.4 cm. The percentage of canopy cover ranged from 51% to 80%. The mean canopy cover in adjacent intact plots was 80%. Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) was present in 63% of this area and was more common in the areas beneath the affected trees. The nearly simultaneous death of these ash trees has caused the succession of the forest to be disrupted. The most common saplings entering the voids caused by the diseased ash trees are sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) and Tuliptree (Liriodendrin tulipifera L.). Management of the area should focus on favoring these species, because these species are native in this area and will help the succession of the forest.
ISSN:0030-0950
2471-9390