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News

April 2010

Presentation at Tree Disease Conference

Susana Mourato gave a presentation at the Royal Agricultural Society's Tree Diseases Conference in April. The title was "Public knowledge, perceptions and who pays - lessons from Sudden Oak Death" pdf, and contained findings from surveys completed by visitors to National Trust gardens in Cornwall. Respondents were generally aware of tree diseases, although very few had any detailed knowledge. After receiving information on Phytophthora ramorum, most people (80%) indicated a willingness to pay for a high intervention disease control programme in the form of a compulsory garden entry fee. Next steps include an online survey to see if these findings extend to the general public.
 

March 2009

Research visit to California and Oregon

Clive Potter and Isobel Tomlinson have recently visited the US to meet researchers and activists involved in the current outbreak of Sudden Oak Death (SOD), as major tree disease epidemic affecting large parts of the California and Oregan. The purpose aim of the trip, which was hosted by the US Forest Service, was to see SOD in the field and to talk to some of the key people involved in managing and researching the disease as scientists, advisers, landowners or members of communities. 
Isobel in Muir Woods, California with Mia Monroe and Allison Forrestal.

Clive and Isobel saw first hand the different political contexts, temporal and spatial incidence of the disease, susceptibility of ecosystems and land ownership between California and Oregon contribute to two contrasting approaches and institutional structures for managing SOD in the two States. Read more here.
 

March 2009

Populations Under Threat

Whilst examining fuzzy set theory as an interdisciplinary interface, Tom Harwood has demonstrated that the ecological and evolutionary concept of a population is based on a circular definition. This means that proper sampling of populations in the real world is not possible, driving an unfortunate wedge between theoretical and practical biology.
Theoretically nonexistent?

Read the full article, TD Harwood (2009) The circular definition of populations and its implication for biological sampling. Molecular Ecology 18 (5) March 2009 pp 765-768. here.

October 2008

People Remembering Dutch Elm Disease

As part of the historical analysis of the Dutch Elm Disease outbreak, an article in the Daily Telegraph invited readers to contact the researchers with their own memories and recollections. We have received almost 100 emails and letters to date, testifying to the often very personal way in which people experienced the disease and its landscape effects.

The Princeton Twins: Elm survivors

To read the Telegraph article "Oaks: next for the axe?" online go to www.telegraph.co.uk and Search for "Sudden Oak Death".

To view a selection of readers memories click here

September 2008

Modelling the spread of Dutch Elm Disease

We have developed spatial modelling software to allow us to examine the effects of variable management intensity and different policies on the historical spread of Dutch Elm Disease. Recent simulations show that restricting movements of infected timber at an early stage could have greatly slowed the northward rate of advance. It seems doubtful, given both model outputs and evidence from the rest of the world, that its eventual spread throughout the UK could be avoided.

 
Simulation showing spread from the initial points of introduction in London, Bristol and Southampton, and from new foci in the north generated by timber movement

Strict controls are being applied on the movement of P. ramorum susceptible plants in the UK, and evidence points to a reduction in the number of infections within the horticultural trade. Nevertheless, new long distance infections are still occurring through movement by individuals
 
 

April 2008

Cornwall field trip

The project team have visited a number of sites in Cornwall which have been infected by P. ramorum and P. kernoviae. Interviews are being conducted with those affected and those involved in managing the epidemics.

 
More to come? One of the first beech trees to succumb to  P. kernoviae
 

 
Champion Magnolia infected with P. ramorum. Some of the largest specimens of many species are being lost in Cornwall's gardens. P. kernoviae has been found on bilberry on an exposed heathland site. Many heathland species are susceptible.