Long-Term Impacts of Invasive Insects and Pathogens on Composition, Biomass, and Diversity of Forests in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains

Anderson‐Teixeira, Kristina J.; Herrmann, Valentine; Cass, Wendy B.; Williams, Alan; J., Paull, Stephen; Gonzalez‐Akre, Erika; Helcoski, Ryan; Tepley, Alan J.; Bourg, Norman A.; T., Cosma, Christopher; E., Ferson, Abigail; Caroline, Kittle,; Meakem, Victoria; McGregor, Ian R.; N., Prestipino, Maya; Scott, Michael K.; Terrell, Alyssa R.; Alonso, Alfonso; Dallmeier, Francisco; McShea, William J.

doi:10.1007/s10021-020-00503-w

Cited by 16 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Field measurements and model simulations have documented how insect-driven disturbance and widespread tree and sapling mortality of susceptible species can reduce NEP for at least a decade following infestations [26-30, 36, 45]. Large-scale assessments have documented how differential mortality of oaks caused by L. dispar infestations in oak-hickory forests have reduced or negated net increases in BA and aboveground biomass across the mid-Atlantic region [7,65,71]. Because mixedwood stands are more resistant to infestations and sustain less extensive damage, they will likely maintain continuity in ecosystem functioning to a greater extent than oak-or pine-dominated stands during and following insect infestations [61,62].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Insect infestations and the persistence and functioning of oak-pine mixedwood forests in the mid-Atlantic region, USA

et al. 2022

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Damage from infestations of Lymantria dispar L. in oak-dominated stands and southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann) in pine-dominated stands have far exceeded impacts of other disturbances in forests of the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain over the last two decades. We used forest census data collected in undisturbed and insect-impacted stands combined with eddy covariance measurements made pre- and post-disturbance in oak-, mixed and pine-dominated stands to quantify how these infestations altered forest composition, structure and carbon dynamics in the Pinelands National Reserve of southern New Jersey. In oak-dominated stands, multi-year defoliation during L. dispar infestations resulted in > 40% mortality of oak trees and the release of pine saplings and understory vegetation, while tree mortality was minimal in mixed and pine-dominated stands. In pine-dominated stands, southern pine beetle infestations resulted in > 85% mortality of pine trees but had minimal effect on oaks in upland stands or other hardwoods in lowland stands, and only rarely infested pines in hardwood-dominated stands. Because insect-driven disturbances are both delaying and accelerating succession in stands dominated by a single genus but having less effect in mixed-composition stands, long-term disturbance dynamics are favoring the formation and persistence of uneven age oak-pine mixedwood stands. Changes in forest composition may have little impact on forest productivity and evapotranspiration; although seasonal patterns differ, with highest daily rates of net ecosystem production (NEP) during the growing season occurring in an oak-dominated stand and lowest in a pine-dominated stand, integrated annual rates of NEP are similar among oak-, mixed and pine-dominated stands. Our research documents the formation of mixedwood stands as a consequence of insect infestations in the mid-Atlantic region and suggests that managing for mixedwood stands could reduce damage to forest products and provide greater continuity in ecosystem functioning.

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Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Insect infestations and the persistence and functioning of oak-pine mixedwood forests in the mid-Atlantic region, USA

et al. 2022

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“…Data analysis relative to current model expectations in near real‐time can quickly alert researchers to unexpected dynamics or gaps in understanding, giving them opportunities to adjust data collection and test new hypotheses before the relevant data collection window closes. For example, an unexpectedly high mortality rate of a particular tree species, which could be revealed while a tree mortality census is still in progress (Figure 4), could alert researchers to the potential of a taxa‐specific forest insect or pathogen (Anderson‐Teixeira et al, 2021). Surveyors could then diagnose and document taxa‐specific symptoms of decline during the current census.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing GitHub Actions continuous integration to reduce error rates in ecological data collection

et al. 2022

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Accurate field data are essential to understanding ecological systems and forecasting their responses to global change. Yet, data collection errors are common, and data analysis often lags far enough behind its collection that many errors can no longer be corrected, nor can anomalous observations be revisited. Needed is a system in which data quality assurance and control (QA/QC), along with the production of basic data summaries, can be automated immediately following data collection. Here, we implement and test a system to satisfy these needs. For two annual tree mortality censuses and a dendrometer band survey at two forest research sites, we used GitHub Actions continuous integration (CI) to automate data QA/QC and run routine data wrangling scripts to produce cleaned datasets ready for analysis. This system automation had numerous benefits, including (1) the production of near real‐time information on data collection status and errors requiring correction, resulting in final datasets free of detectable errors, (2) an apparent learning effect among field technicians, wherein original error rates in field data collection declined significantly following implementation of the system, and (3) an assurance of computational reproducibility—that is, robustness of the system to changes in code, data and software. By implementing CI, researchers can ensure that datasets are free of any errors for which a test can be coded. The result is dramatically improved data quality, increased skill among field technicians, and reduced need for expert oversight. Furthermore, we view CI implementation as a first step towards a data collection and analysis pipeline that is also more responsive to rapidly changing ecological dynamics, making it better suited to study ecological systems in the current era of rapid environmental change.

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“…[9]. In the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as in eastern North America, an estimated 21-29% loss in tree biomass has been caused by exotic insects and pathogens [10]. In the UK, Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus Kowalski) is estimated to have a total economic cost of £15 billion over 100 years, in terms of lost biodiversity benefits [11], and is expected to kill over 90% of UK ash.…”

Section: Introduction 1global Threats Require Holistic Responsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Can Local and Regional Knowledge Networks Contribute to Landscape Level Action for Tree Health?

O’Brien

Karlsdóttir

Ambrose-Oji

et al. 2021

Forests

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Forests worldwide are facing increasing pressures, with human travel and trade assisting the spread of pests and diseases. Climate change is likely to enhance the negative impacts of pests and diseases, which cause global declines and local extinctions. In this research we focus on three local and regional knowledge networks in the UK concerned with pests and diseases to explore to what extent the networks raise awareness and encourage other actions in their members, and identify what roles social capital and social learning play in these networks. A qualitative approach was undertaken. Three networks focused on pests and diseases were studied in the research, which involved 20 interviews with network members, and in situ discussions with two of the networks involving 41 members. Interviewees in the networks self-reported increased awareness and understanding of tree health issues as an important outcome of their participation in a network. The networks engaged in a range of actions, from knowledge exchange to developing guidance and running events, workshops and field trips. The role of the networks in supporting the development of social capital and social learning made an important contribution to the knowledge exchange and other actions undertaken, and highlights how networks can contribute to landscape-level action towards tree health. Stakeholders need to be included in responses to pest and disease threats, and networks can play an important role in raising awareness, knowledge exchange and linking up diverse land managers. This research provides evidence of the importance of networks in developing a collective approach, creating a stronger voice, aiding different organisations and individuals to work together, and providing an arena for social learning and developing useful relationships. A recognition of the importance of networks and the provision of some financial support could aid their continuation.

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Long-Term Impacts of Invasive Insects and Pathogens on Composition, Biomass, and Diversity of Forests in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains

Cited by 16 publications

References 49 publications

Insect infestations and the persistence and functioning of oak-pine mixedwood forests in the mid-Atlantic region, USA

Insect infestations and the persistence and functioning of oak-pine mixedwood forests in the mid-Atlantic region, USA

Implementing GitHub Actions continuous integration to reduce error rates in ecological data collection

How Can Local and Regional Knowledge Networks Contribute to Landscape Level Action for Tree Health?

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