Understanding and Managing Disease in Forest Ecosystems
Invasive
Species
![[image:] Map of continental United States showing distribution of oak wilt in 2004 caused by a native invasive pathogen. [image:] Map of continental United States showing distribution of oak wilt in 2004 caused by a native invasive pathogen. Infected areas include eastern Minnesota, Wisconsin, scattered counties in Lower Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virgina, western Virginia, Kentucky, parts of Tennessee, northern Arkansas, western North and central South Carolina, and most of Texas.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090305015103im_/http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/4502/local-resources/images/oak_wilt_2004_map.gif)
Distribution of oak wilt caused by a native invasive pathogen.
Map by Q. Chavez |
The
issue
Exotic pathogens, plants, and insects are non-native or alien
species that have been introduced into new ecosystems outside of
their native range. They are invasive if they become established and
spread. Native species can also be invasive. Both exotic and native
invasives can seriously damage our urban and rural forests, reducing
their ecological, economic, and social value. Managing invasive
species and their impacts involves integration of several elements,
including prediction and prevention, detection and monitoring,
and management and restoration.
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What are doing about it?
We
are conducting research to provide science-based information on
basic biology of high priority invasive species and some of the
tree diseases they
cause.
We
are designing models and assessing of impacts and risks
to predict and prevent
the introduction and spread of high priority invasive forest pests.
We
are conducting surveys to
detect and monitor
invasive species.
We
are developing methods and tools to
manage and restore
our forests and plantations that have been impacted by invasive
species.
For additional information on this topic, refer
to:
National
Strategy and Implementation Plan for Invasive Species Management. FS
805. October 2004.
Our
Publications
Treesearch
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