Summary of taxa-specific research: 2. pathogens

Abstract

Damage caused by invasive forest pathogens is widely viewed as more severe, long-term, widespread, and difficult to restore than that caused by any other biological disturbance agent. In the last century, pathogens introduced into our native forests have threatened extinction of native tree species and critically degraded many different ecosystems across North America. Not only trees are threatened, but also the dependent forest flora and fauna. Invaders have severely diminished productivity, sustainability, and ecological functions of many forests. Diseases caused by invasive pathogens may result in altered forest succession and species composition that can dramatically impact the delivery of ecosystem services. RMRS research programs have developed critical information for the following four key research areas related to invasive pathogens like white pine blister rust, ohi'a rust, Armillaria root disease, and Fusarium root rot.

Citation

Klopfenstein, Ned; Geils, Brian. 2009. Summary of taxa-specific research: 2. pathogens. In: Butler, Jack; Pearson, Dean; Kim, Mee-Sook, tech. eds. Invasives Species Working Group: Research Summary and Expertise Directory. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 7-8.