What are its long-term effects on dogwood populations?
Relatively little is known about long-term effects of anthracnose on native dogwood populations. In woodland areas where mortality of dogwoods was severe over a decade ago, there is little regeneration by seedlings even though seed-bearing trees have survived (Daughtrey and Hibben 1994). Will such sites gradually become repopulated with C. florida, and how long will D. destructiva remain at a high enough level to initiate new infections (Daughtrey and others 1996)? • What are the effects of this disease on wildlife and nutrient cycling? The decline of dogwood populations will likely effect wildlife populations and nutrient cycling in forest soil, but these impacts have not been measured. Dozens of bird species, bears, and deer use dogwood as a source of mast or browse (Nash 1999). How will the decline of dogwood affect these wildlife populations? Dogwood leaves are high in calcium. Decomposition of dogwood leaves not only makes this critical element available for other plants, but buff
