Does community structure influence forest susceptibility and response to Emerald Ash Borer?
Smith, Annemarie*,1, Herms, Daniel2, Long, Robert3, 1 Environmental Science Graduate Program, Columbus, OH2 Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH3 USDA Forest Service, Delaware, OH ABSTRACT- Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) an exotic, invasive beetle has infested and killed more than 12 million ash trees (Fraxinus species) in southeastern Michigan. If emerald ash borer (EAB) is not contained and eradicated it has the potential to devastate ash throughout North America with substantial economic and ecological consequences. The objectives of this research are (1) determine effects of forest community composition and stand structure on susceptibility to EAB invasion, and (2) quantify effects of EAB-induced ash mortality on forest community composition. Transects were established in the summer of 2004 in 11 southeast Michigan forest stands across a range of habitats that vary from wet, low sites to dry, upland sites. Susceptibility to invasion was determined
