Forest Health Monitoring: Evaluation Monitoring project summaries 2023

Abstract

The Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service annually funds projects under the Evaluation Monitoring (EM) component of FHM. Projects generally are intended to determine the extent, severity, and causes of undesirable changes in forest health. This component of FHM provides opportunities to delve deeper into observed forest health changes than is often possible as part of standard monitoring activities. When an EM project is completed, researchers are asked to provide a concise summary of the project. These summaries were previously (2008–2022) published as part of the FHM annual national status and trends report. Beginning in 2023, the summaries are being published in a separate document to highlight the EM projects and communicate concise results but will continue to be searchable on the FHM website reporting page (https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/forest-health-protection/publications-reports/forest-health-monitoring-publications). This report includes summaries of nine recently completed EM projects that: evaluated the extent and severity of black cherry (Prunus serotina) regeneration declines in eastern forests and explored potential causes; investigated whether oak (Quercus spp.) regeneration and recruitment in eastern upland forests are being affected by forest health disturbances; studied an outbreak of Diplodia sapinea and D. scrobiculata that caused extensive dieback and mortality of slash pines (Pinus elliottii) in Florida; evaluated Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) distribution and health in the Southern Appalachian Mountains; applied Forest Inventory and Analysis data and site-specific factors to understand flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) decline in the Southeastern United States; evaluated distribution and impacts of invasive species on Southern U.S. forests; evaluated the health and abundance of five-needle pines (Pinus spp.) in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico; linked physiology to landscape-scale dieback of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) during an ongoing megadrought; and investigated whether spruce aphid (Elatobium abietinum) defoliation alters Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) resistance to spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis). 

Titles contained within Forest Health Monitoring: Evaluation Monitoring project summaries 2023

• Introduction
• Evaluating the extent and severity of black cherry regeneration declines in eastern forests and exploring potential causes
• Do forest health issues in eastern upland oak forests affect oak regeneration and recruitment?
• Etiology of Diplodia tip blight outbreak on slash pine in Florida
• Carolina hemlock distribution and health in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
• Application of Forest Inventory and Analysis data and site-specific factors in understanding flowering dogwood decline in the Southeastern United States
• Evaluating distribution and impacts of invasive plant species on Southern U.S. forests
• Health and abundance of five-needle pines in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico
• Linking physiology to landscape-scale dieback of Utah juniper during an ongoing megadrought
• Does spruce aphid defoliation alter Engelmann spruce resistance to spruce beetle?

Citation

Conkling, Barbara. L.; Pandit, Karun, eds. 2025. Forest Health Monitoring: Evaluation Monitoring project summaries 2023. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-105a. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 92 p. https://doi.org/10.2737/WO-GTR-105a.