Hikers Spreading Sudden Oak Death?

Research conducted by J. Hall Cushman, a biologist at Sonoma State University in California, seems to indicate that hikers and other recreational trail users are spreading the pathogen that causes sudden oak death. The pathogen was found along trails in grasslands and other uninfected forest areas, while samples a few metres from the trail turned up few or no spores of the disease.

The disease kills some oak species and is having a devastating effect on the native California coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). The National Park Service is looking at options to try to curb the spread of the fungus-like infection. Trail closures would be effective, but difficult to enforce in the heavily used recreational areas of California's forests. Park managers will try to encourage users to clean their shoes and bike tires before and after visits to the trails.

Another researcher, Max Moritz of the University of California, Berkeley, has been studying the effects of wildfires on the prevalence of the disease. Forest areas that burned as far back as 1950 are rarely infected with sudden oak death. Biologists are trying to understand the causes of this inhibitory effect on the pathogen.

Thank you to Harry Hill for noting the story.

Links:

• Hikers help spread sudden oak death in NewScientist.com


• J. Hall Cushman click research to learn more about his study

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 2:29 PM on August 13, 2004