Treesearch

Dere thoracica White, a cerambycine longhorned beetle native to eastern Asia, is newly reported from Georgia, USA, where an established population was detected. A single female was collected in a flight intercept trap in Clarke County during early 2020, and 292 adults were excavated from their pupal chambers or reared from dead branches of mimosa tree, Albizia julibrissin Durazz. (Fabaceae), during early 2021. These are the first records of the genus and species in the Nearctic Region. Dere thoracica is considered to be a generalist dependent on recently dead or dying trees. It can be...

In 2016, we conducted three experiments to clarify the effects of 2,3-hexanediols isomers on trap catches ofNeoclytus acuminatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). We also noted the effects of the isomers on trap catchesof other cerambycids and associated species of predators and competitors. Catches of N. acuminatus in trapsbaited with ethanol + syn-2,3-hexanediol + racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one were reduced with the addition ofanti-2,3-hexanediol, an attractant for Curius dentatus Newman (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). A fourth experimentconducted in 2017 verified that racemic 3-hydroxyoctan-2-o...

Following the adventive arrival, subsequent spread, and ensuing impact of Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera:Adelgidae), the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) in the eastern United States, a robust initiative was launched with thegoal of decreasing ecosystem impacts from the loss of eastern hemlock (Pinales: Pinaceae). This initiative includesthe use of biological control agents, including Laricobius spp. (Insecta: Coleoptera). Laboratory production of theseagents is limited by subterranean mortality and early emergence. Therefore, the subterranean survivorship andtiming of emergence of a mixture...

1. Although most efforts to improve habitat for bees and other pollinators focus on floral resources, it is also important to consider the availability and suitability of nesting habitats in relation to various management activities. 2. We used soil emergence traps to compare the number of ground-nesting bees among treatments in a long-term fire frequency study in Florida. We regularly moved the traps, a strategy that appears to greatly improve the efficacy of this sampling approach. The experiment consisted of forested plots that have been burned annually, biennially or triennially for...

Deadwood contains a sizeable proportion of total forest C, and its decomposition transfers organic C to the atmosphere, other organisms and soils. Microbes have traditionally been thought to be the primary drivers of woodmdecomposition worldwide, but few studies have tested the relative importance of termites to this process. The aim of this study was to compare the relative contributions of microbes and termites to wood (Cinnamomum camphora) decomposition by conducting a field experiment of termite access (with and without termite exclusion)and soil contact (with and without soil contact)...

Soil rehabilitation is reestablishing disturbed soil back to healthy conditions to raise site productivity as quickly as possible. Soil rehabilitation is a field of interest for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and an important resource management strategy that promotes and enhances ecosystem restoration. Site productivity directly relates to soil physical, chemical, and biome health; vegetation growth rates; and the biodiversity within plant and animal community assemblages. The National Forest Management Act regulates actions that substantially or permanently impair...

Climate change and disturbance can alter invasion success of clonal plants by differentially affecting the clonal traits influencing their establishment as young plants. Clonal traits related to the vegetative reproduction of native Pascopyrum smithii and non-native Bromus inermis grass seedlings were evaluated under altered precipitation frequencies and a single grazing event. Pascopyrum smithii maintained similar vegetative reproduction under three simulated precipitation frequencies whereas B. inermis vegetative reproduction declined as precipitation became more intermittent. Vegetative...

Converting biomass to biochar (Figure ES-1) presents exciting opportunities to mitigate climate change, improve forest and soil health, decrease wildfire risk, bolster ecosystem services, and revitalize rural economies. Our expert panel examined how biomass is harvested, converted to biochar and applied and where operational changes and funding could significantly magnify biochar’s contributions. To advance knowledge and efficacies, we found that a rigorous combination of long-term multi-site coordinated research, near-term market-focused research and development and enhancement of...

Climate change is a global persistent threat to fish and fish habitats throughout North America. Climate-induced modification of environmental regimes, including changes in streamflow, water temperature, salinity, storm surges, and habitat connectivity can change fish physiology, disrupt spawning cues, cause fish extinctions and invasions, and alter fish community structure. Reducing greenhouse emissions remains the primary mechanism to slow the pace of climate change, but local and regional management agencies and stakeholders have developed an arsenal of adaptation strategies to help...

Although the presence of root anatomical structures of young Pinus ponderosa seedlings grown in containers of contrasting volume (164 vs. 7000 cm3) was similar, seedlings reared 60 days in the large container had more vascular cambium although the xylem thickness was similar. In addition, seedlings in large containers had nearly twice as many resin ducts within the vascular cambium as their cohorts in small containers. Taproot length closely matched container depth. Though lateral root emission rates were similar between container sizes, large container seedlings had more than 2X the...