Native and Exotic Invasive Forest Pests and Pathogens
Importance / IssuesNew and established native and exotic invasive insect forest pests and pathogens (IFP) pose significant threats to park forest ecosystems across the southeast region.
Both specific forest tree species and communities are major focal resources for park management at most Cumberland Piedmont Network (CUPN) parks. Early detection of IFPs offers park managers their best opportunity to rapidly implement responses to these threats. A combination of data mining and field work will contribute to wide scale and multiagency efforts at understanding and combating the critical threat IFPs pose to our native resources. Preliminary Monitoring Objectives1) Web-based mining of county, state, and federal level data on presence/absence of new and established IFPs. Justification. New and established IFPs are monitored by numerous federal and state agencies, universities, and non-governmental organizations. These entities monitor the major pathways through which iFPs enter and move about within the United States, gather extensive data on their current range, and model future outbreaks. CUPN will use these existing data as a cost-effective way to monitor IFPs among its 14 park units. 2) Estimate current infestation levels and distributions of IFPs on CUPN parks in conjunction with vegetation monitoring. Justification. Data on current infestation level and distribution will provide park management with information on key resource status and will be the initial point from which to assess infestation trends.  Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is an exotic invasive species and a serious pest of Eastern (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina Hemlock (T. caroliniana). Photo by Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Management ApplicationsProvide early detection of new and established IFPs for parks currently threatened by their presence on adjacent lands. Justification. IFPs infesting adjacent lands are imminent threats to CUPN forest resources. Early detection will enable CUPN park management to implement a rapid response to their appearance on park lands. Assess trends in infestation level and distribution of IPFs on 14 CUPN parks. Justification. Data on current infestation level and distribution will provide park management with key resource status information and will be the initial point from which to assess infestation trends through monitoring. Provide guidance on prioritizing mitigation efforts among numerous new and established IFPs. Justification. Monitoring data are gathered yearly on the many new and established IFPs that threaten CUPN forest resources. Expert opinion will be utilized to determine IFP's threat level to CUPN forest resources by rank order and their potential for eradication. Provide up to date information on new and established IFPs for public education efforts. Justification. Park visitors can unwittingly transport IFPs to CUPN park units. Information on potential visitor pathways will be supplied to CUPN park managers for public education.  Southern Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) is a native invasive species that infests and causes large scale mortality to pines. Photo by Erich G. Vallery, USDA Forest Service - SRS-4552, Bugwood.org
Contact InformationDr. Kurt Helf Cumberland Piedmont Network P.O. Box 8 Mammoth Cave, KY 42259 (270) 758-2163 phone (270) 758-2609 fax Additional Informationhttp://www.fs.fed.us/r8/foresthealth/ forestpests/insects.shtml For IFP information specific to the eight southeastern states that host CUPN parks, please see links below: |
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Link to Forest Pests Intranet page (NPS only)