invasive species

Goldspotted oak borer, a new threat to California forests

03.01.2010

The goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus coxalis Waterhouse (Coleoptera:Buprestidae), is adding to the woes of California’s magnificent oak forests.  While sudden oak death is killing oak and other trees in the northern part of the state, the oak forests of the southern part of the state have escaped damage due to the dry conditions that prevent [...]

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Do invasive species cause ecological change, or follow it?

12.10.2008

Invasive woody plants are a major problem in forests worldwide. Invasive trees and shrubs are often fast-growing with light, wind-dispersed seed or bird-carried fruit. They are able to quickly colonize disturbed sites and may prevent native species from germinating or growing. Here in central Kentucky, almost every forest patch near urban areas is so choked [...]

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Five major threats to eastern North American forests

11.26.2008

The Big Five: emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, Sirex wood wasp, sudden oak death, hemlock woolly adelgid Forests in eastern North America are beset with a number of exotic pests and pathogens. Several of these pests and pathogens collectively could have a larger impact on eastern forests than chestnut blight, which killed billions of [...]

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