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Quantifying change in riparian ash forests following the introduction of EAB in Michigan and Indiana

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; Coleoptera: Buprestidae; EAB) is an introduced beetle that kills ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees. While most EAB-related ash mortality has been documented in urban areas, the effects of EAB in forested settings, particularly in riparian forests, are not well known. This study utilizes forest inventory data to quantify changes in the composition and structure of riparian ash forests since the introduction of EAB to Michigan and Indiana. Estimates of the abundance, number of standing dead trees, mortality and regeneration of riparian ash were compared over time. The abundance of ash growing-stock significantly decreased across the study area between 2003/2004 and 2009. Mortality of riparian ash sharply increased in 2005. The preponderance of ash mortality was limited to riparian forests in the southeastern portion of Michigan.

Parent Publication

Citation

Crocker, Susan J.; Meneguzzo, Dacia M. 2012. Quantifying change in riparian ash forests following the introduction of EAB in Michigan and Indiana. In: McWilliams, Will; Roesch, Francis A. eds. 2012. Monitoring Across Borders: 2010 Joint Meeting of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Symposium and the Southern Mensurationists. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-157. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 105-107.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/40979