A complex interaction of multiple factors has resulted in >75% mortality/decline of more than 1 million acres of oaks (Quercus, subgenus Erythrobalanus) on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. Some factors believed responsible for this 'oak decline event' are old tree age, shallow soils, periods of severe drought, low tree species diversity and fungal attack. The most striking feature of this oak decline event is an unprecedented outbreak of red oak borer (Enaphalodes rufulus, Haldeman) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). It has been estimated that more than one billion board feet of timber may be lost or degraded due to this pest. Current studies show that attack densities may average as much as 245 per square meter of bark. Current sampling techniques and GIS-based studies aimed at evaluating population dynamics of red oak borer during this epidemic will be discussed.
Species 1: Coleoptera Cerambycidae Enaphalodes rufulus (red oak borer)
Keywords: sampling GIS
Back to Display Presentations, Subsection Cf. Quantitative Ecology
Back to Posters
Back to The 2002 ESA Annual Meeting and Exhibition