Download (PDF 411 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/39560.pdf
Abstract
Invasive fungal pathogens have caused immeasurably large ecological and economic damage to forests. It is well known that invasive fungal pathogens can cause devastating forest diseases (e.g., white pine blister rust, chestnut blight, Dutch elm disease, dogwood anthracnose, butternut canker, Scleroderris canker of pines, sudden oak death, pine pitch canker) (Maloy 1997; Anagnostakis 1987; Brasier and Buck 2001; Daughtrey and others 1996; Furnier and others 1999; Hamelin and others 1998; Davidson and others 2003; Gordon and others 2001). Furthermore, invasive pathogenic fungi have disrupted many forest ecosystems and threaten to eliminate some tree species (Liebhold and others 1995). RMRS research has historically emphasized white pine blister rust, caused by Cronartium ribicola, because of the extensive damage to five-needled white pines that are a keystone species to many forest ecosystems in the Interior West since its introduction to North America in the late 1800s. However, this disease continues to spread to new areas and environments.
Parent Publication
Citation
Klopfenstein, Ned B.; Geils, Brian W. 2011. II. Pathogens. In: Pearson, D. E.; Kim, M.; Butler, J., eds. 2011. Rocky Mountain Research Station invasive species visionary white paper. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-265. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 13-26.
