Forecasting the future of coast live oak forests in the face of sudden oak death

Abstract

Little is known about the potential short- and long-term impacts of sudden oak death (SOD) on forest structure and composition. This study began in 2002 to evaluate the effects of SOD on coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) - California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) forests over a gradient of Phytophthora ramorum infection. In order to evaluate stand level impacts of the disease, we present mortality data from three time periods: recent past (five to 10 years before 2002), present (2002-2004), and future (next five years). Because large numbers of recently downed stems (mainly Q. agrifolia) were found in 2002, in areas of high known infection levels of Phythophthora ramorum, and because most SOD monitoring efforts began in 2001 or later, stand reconstruction methods were employed to accurately capture the impact of the disease on forest stands.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the sudden oak death second science symposium: the state of our knowledge

Citation

Brown, Letty B.; Allen-Diaz, Barbara. 2006. Forecasting the future of coast live oak forests in the face of sudden oak death. In: Frankel, Susan J.; Shea, Patrick J.; and Haverty, Michael I., tech. coords. Proceedings of the sudden oak death second science symposium: the state of our knowledge. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-196. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture: 179-180