Ecological and hydrological impacts of the emerald ash borer on black ash forests

Project Leader: 
Research Partners: 
Dr. Brian Palik (USFS Northern Research Station); Dr. Shawn Fraver (University of Maine); Dr. Rob Slesak (Minnesota Forest Resources Council); Dr. Linda Nagel (University of Minnesota); Dr. Michael Falkowski (University of Minnesota); Dr. Matthew Russell (University of Minnesota)
Status: 
Ongoing
Science Themes: 
Ecological vulnerability and species response to climate variability and change
Climate impacts on land-use and land-cover change
Climate impacts on freshwater resources and ecosystems

This project examines the ecological and hydrological impacts of emerald ash borer on black ash-dominated wetlands throughout the Lake States using large-scale experimental studies documenting impacts of black ash mortality on ecosystem processes, wildlife communities, and evaluating potential mitigation and adaptation strategies under future climate and invasion scenarios.  Adaptation strategies being evaluated include the planting of non-host tree species and management techniques to increase levels of compositional and structural complexity within these systems.  Work is also generating maps of the distribution of black ash forest habitats to help prioritize areas for conservation and mitigation in the context of emerald ash borer impacts.

Publications: 
Presentations: 
  • D'Amato, A.W., B.J. Palik, R.A. Slesak, C.A. Looney, M. Youngquist, G. Edge, C. Matula, D. Bronson, and G. Swanson. Adaptive silvicultural strategies for black ash forests threatened by the introduced emerald ash borer. National Silviculture Workshop, Bemidji, MN. May 21, 2019.
  • D'Amato, A.W.  Putting the forest first: managing within the context of EAB.  New England Society of American Foresters Winter Meeting, Burlington, VT. March 28, 2019.
  • Slesak, R.A., A.W. D'Amato, B.J. Palik. Seven years of hydrologic response to simulated emerald ash borer mortality in black ash wetlands. 2018. Society of American Foresters National Convention, Portland, OR. October 6, 2018.
  • D'Amato, A.W., B.J. Palik, R.A. Slesak, G. Edge, C. Matula, D. Bronson.. Recommendations for moving forward based on management experience and recent research in black ash wetlands. Science and Management of Ash Forests after EAB Workshop, Duluth, MN. July 26, 2018.
  • D’Amato, A.W., B.J. Palik, C. Looney, R. Slesak, and M. Slater.  2017. Black ash, emerald ash borer, and climate change: assisting the replacement of a foundational species.  Presentation. 11th North American Forest Ecology Workshop, Edmonton, Alberta. June 22, 2018. 
  • D'Amato, A.W. 2018. Silvicultural considerations for Vermont's ash within the context of emerald ash borer.  Managing our Changing Forests Webinar Series. University of Vermont Extension. June 20, 2018.
  • Pzswaro, J., A.W. D'Amato, B.J. Palik, and R.A. Slesak.  Silvicultural Options for Increasing Resilience of Black Ash Wetlands to EAB in Wisconsin. Society of American Foresters National Convention. Madison, WI. November 5, 2016
  • Palik, B.J., A.W. D'Amato, and R.A. Slesak.   Evaluating Replacement Tree Species in Black Ash Forests Threatened by EAB and Climate Change. Society of American Foresters National Convention. Madison, WI. November 5, 2016
  • D'Amato, A.W., B.J. Palik, and R.A. Slesak. Sustaining Great Lakes Black Ash Forests in the Face of Emerald Ash Borer.  Society of American Foresters National Convention. Madison, WI. November 5, 2016
  • Youngquist, M. A,W, D’Amato, B.J. Palik, S. Eggert, and R.A. Slesak. 2016. Predicting the indirect effects of emerald ash borer on amphibians in black ash wetlands.  Region 9 Lake States Sub-Regional Soils, Water, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology Workshop, Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center, Ashland, WI.  April 26-28, 2016
  • Youngquist, M., A.W. D'Amato, S. Eggert, B.J. Palik, and R.A. Slesak. Potential Indirect Effects of Invasive Emerald Ash Borer on Wetland Fauna in Black Ash Forests.  Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, MI. January 24-27, 2016.
  • Looney, C., A.W. D'Amato, and B.J. Palik. Treatment, Species, and Planting Season Impact Seedling Success in EAB-Imperiled Black Ash Forests.  Society of American Foresters National Convention, Baton Rouge, LA. November 5, 2015.
  • Slesak, R.A. Hydrology of black ash wetlands: Implications for management of the EAB threat.  Sustainable Forests Education Cooperative Fall Webinar Series, University of Minnesota. September 15, 2015.
  • Looney, C., A.W. D'Amato, and B.J. Palik. Overstory treatment and planting season affect survival of replacement tree species in emerald ash borer-threatened Fraxinus nigra forests in Minnesota, USA. North American Forest Ecology Workship, Veracruz, Mexico. June 18, 2015.
  • Palik, B.J., A.W. D'Amato, and R. A. Slesak. Evaluating the Ecological Impacts of Emerald Ash Borer and Climate Change on Black Ash Forests. Sustainable Forests Education Cooperative Wildlife and Forest Research Review. Cloquet, MN. February 24, 2015.
  • Reinikainen, M.R., A.W. D'Amato, B.J. Palik. Evaluating adaptation strategies for black ash forests threatened by emerald ash borer. Black Ash Symposium, University of Maine, Orono, ME. November 5, 2014.          
  • Palik,  B.J., and A.W. D'Amato. Developing strategies for managing black ash forests in the face of emerald ash borer.  USFS Region 9 Silviculture Workshop.  Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.  June 24, 2014.
  •  Looney, C., A.W. D’Amato, and B.J. Palik. Impacts of restoration treatments and emerald ash borer on vegetation communities in black ash-dominated wetlands.  Midwest-Great Lakes Society of Ecological Restoration Chapter Meeting, St. Paul, MN. March 28, 2014.  
  • Slesak, R.A., C. Lenhart, K. Brooks, A.W. D’Amato, B.J. Palik. Water table response of black ash wetlands to simulated emerald ash borer mortality and harvesting.  Midwest-Great Lakes Society of Ecological Restoration Chapter Meeting, St. Paul, MN.  March 28, 2014.
  • Lenhart, C., K. Brooks, R. A. Slesak, A.W. D’Amato, B.J. Palik. The hydrologic setting for black ash wetlands: implications for restoration and management. Midwest-Great Lakes Society of Ecological Restoration Chapter Meeting, St. Paul, MN.  March 28, 2014.
  • Reinikainen, M.R., A.W. D’Amato, B.J. Palik.Two-year survival of potential replacement species in ash-dominated wetlands.    Midwest-Great Lakes Society of Ecological Restoration Chapter Meeting, St. Paul, MN. March 28, 2014.
  • D’Amato, A.W., B. J. Palik, R. A. Slesak, and C. Lenhart. Overview of a large-scale experiment to assess the impacts of emerald ash borer on the structure and function of black ash forest ecosystems and the potential for restoration.  Midwest-Great Lakes Society of Ecological Restoration Chapter Meeting, St. Paul, MN. March 28, 2014.
  • D’Amato, AW. 2013. Black ash: characterizing stand dynamics, evaluating management options, and anticipating EAB impacts. Presentation at Forest Health Workshop sponsored by Chippewa National Forest and Minnesota DNR, Walker, MN.  February 12.  
  • Co-lead workshop “Adaptive Management in the Face of Climate Change” for University of Minnesota, Sustainable Forestry Education Cooperative on October 28, 2013.
  • D'Amato, A.W., B.J. Palik, R.A. Slesak, G. Edge, C. Matula, D. Bronson.  July 26. Recommendations for moving forward based on management experience and recent research in black ash wetlands. Science and Management of Ash Forests after EAB Workshop, Duluth, MN.
Engagement: 

Workshop (2): Instructor: "Ash and Forestry Forum: Management within the context of EAB", sponsored by the Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation, and Forest Stewards Guild. Designed to work with managers to develop strategies for addressing the threat posed by emerald ash borer to Vermont forests. Rupert, VT: June 6, 2019.  Craftsbury, VT, July 10.

Wisconsin DNR. 2017. Checklist for evaluating lowland ash stands; State of Wisconsin, Department of Natural Resources: Madison, WI, USA, 8p.