Canadian Forest Service Publications
Great Lakes Forestry Centre e-Bulletin. Issue 11, Fall 2010. 8p.
Year: 2010
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 35098
Language: English
Series: e-Bulletin (GLFC - Sault Ste. Marie)
Availability: PDF (download)
Abstract
Exposing emerald ash borer to disease may slow its spread: The emerald ash borer (EAB), a wood boring beetle, is one of the most destructive alien invasive insect pests to have been discovered in North America. it attacks all species of ash trees, and probably arrived on our continent with no parasites to keep its population growth in check. Over the past decade it has killed millions of trees and cost governments and landowners dearly. Researchers at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre (GLFC) are experimenting with fungi and nematodes that occur naturally in Canada to determine if they can be used to slow the spread and reduce the population of this highly destructive insect. Some of these disease-causing organisms are beginning to show up on these beetles, and may hold promise as alternative control agents.
Can assisted migration help mitigate climate change impacts on forest resources?: Assisted migration, the human-assisted movement of organisms outside their traditional geographic range limits, may have potential to help mitigate climate change impacts on forest resources. The role for assisted migration in biodiversity conservation and forest management is subject to debate. While assisted migration has been used in forest management to move seeds and seedlings within the current geographic range of a given species, historically, there are examples of ecological calamities that have accompanied species translocations. Canadian Forest Service scientists at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre are involved with a number of projects related to assisted migration.
Novel technique proving effective for monitoring watershed health: The development and refinement of sustainable forest management regulations require an understanding of watersheds and the process that may pose a risk of harm to organisms living in water bodies. In particular, where forest management regulations emphasize the emulation of natural disturbance patterns on the landscape, it is essential to understand whether those regulations will result in watershed impacts beyond the effects of natural disturbance. Dr.Dave Kreutzweiser of the Great Lakes Forestry Centre has been investigating methods for monitoring aquatic ecosystem health in relation to forest disturbances, and has adapted an effective technique for use in boreal forests.
International research collaboration, spotlight on the Great Lakes Forestry Centre: Ground-breaking research is being conducted by staff at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre (GLFC), who are increasing their knowledge and understanding of forest research through collaborative work with international colleagues. In 2010 a number of post-doctoral fellows and graduate students are working with scientists at GLFC to help answer questions and solve problems facing the forest sector and forest reliant communities in Canada. These include studying the interaction of emerald ash borer (EAB) with bird communities, the effect of fungal pathogens on EAB, and analyzing pesticide residues.
GLFC recent publications
Also available under the title:
Centre de foresterie des Grands Lacs Bulletin-é. No. 11, automne 2010.
(French)
