Geospatial Techniques for Identifying Riparian Hemlock Forests Threatened by Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Abstract

Landscape-scale maps of tree species densities are important tools for developing strategies to manage ecosystems threatened by forest pests. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis Ehrh.) dominates riparian forests in watersheds throughout eastern North America. As a conifer in a primarily deciduous landscape, hemlock plays an ecohydrological role, especially when other species are dormant. The non-native, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae, presents a landscape-scale threat to forest ecosystem health and economic viability of eastern hemlock. Land managers require tools to assess hemlock's spatial distribution for monitoring HWA invasion and planning strategies to reduce ecological and hydrological impacts from hemlock decline.

Citation

Fajvan, Mary Ann; Morin, Randy. 2021. Geospatial Techniques for Identifying Riparian Hemlock Forests Threatened by Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. The Forestry Source. 26(5): 11​.