Forest and Plant Health
An adult Laricobius nigrinus beetle on a hemlock twig
Emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, redbay ambrosia beetle, and a long list of other nonnative insects and diseases affect southern forests. Nonnative plants spread widely through forests, affecting species composition, wildlife habitat, wildfire risk, and ecosystem function. In addition, some native species, such as the southern pine beetle, kill large numbers of trees.
At the Southern Research Station, we work closely with the Forest Health Program of the Forest Service to document the spread of pests and pathogens and develop practices that can slow them down. For example, our research shows that new plant invasions can begin at ports of entry. We develop, test, and share methods for mitigating the damaging impacts of pests and pathogens.
Data and Tools
- Tool
CompassLive
- Science Shorts
- Article
Publications
- Qinfeng Guo, Kevin Potter, Hai Ren, Peixia Zhang. 2023. Impacts of exotic pests on forest ecosystems: An update
- James T. Vogt, Rabiu Olatinwo, Michael D. Ulyshen, Rima D. Lucardi, Daniel Saenz, Jessica L. McKenney. 2021. An overview of Triadica sebifera (Chinese tallowtree) in the southern United States, emphasizing pollinator impacts and classical biological control
- John K. Mensah, Mary Anne S. Sayer, Ryan L. Nadel, Shrijana Duwadi, Zhaofei Fan, Emily A. Carter, Lori G. Eckhardt. 2022. Effect of Leptographium terebrantis on foliage, new root dynamics, and stemwood growth in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation