Submitted by David Wood on
This project is part of a long term study to determine the consequences of the plant disease known as Sudden Oak Death. The pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, which was introduced into California in the early 1990s, infects a large number of native plant species, which can be fatal in several tree species. Four true oak species, coast live oak, California black oak, Shreve oak, and canyon live oak, can be killed, along with a related species, tanoak. Another oak, interior live oak, may be susceptible but this is not known.
We are monitoring coast live oaks in study plots cross the East Bay Regional Park District to map the presence and severity of the disease. Not all coast live oaks are equally susceptible to P. ramorum, as shown in multiple artificial inoculation studies. Chemical biomarkers in the phloem (tissue directly under the bark) may be used to characterize individual trees as resistant or susceptible. We are collecting samples from selected trees in the forest plots for chemical analysis by colleagues at Ohio State University.
The long term goals of this work are to develop a better understanding of the consequences of the epidemic, to determine how to manage native forests that are subjected to these losses, and to use the biomarker information to inform decisions about management and to develop ways to harness the resistance to maintain healthy forests.
The student will work closely with researchers in forests in the East Bay Regional Parks that are being affected by the tree disease known as sudden oak death. The student will work in the field helping to collect data from trees in established plots, as well as use of a portable drill to collect phloem samples. This work involves physical exertion and work in wildland sites. The student may also be expected to do some data entry into Excel from field notes.
The principal qualifications are a willingness to work in forest settings and attention to detail. This work may involve considerable off-trail hiking. The student will be expected to record notes carefully in the field. No prior knowledge of forest ecology or sudden oak death in necessary.