COMTF Monitoring Committee

SOD Monitoring in California.

 

Monitoring Strategy for determining presence of SOD in California

Strategy includes:

1           Spatial Analysis:

1.1              Risk Assessment and Mapping;

1.2              Remote Sensing;

1.3              Aerial survey to detect mortality areas;

2           Ground-based surveys:

2.1              Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Plots;

2.2              Systematic ground-based surveys for distribution of P. ramorum on leaf spot or twig dieback hosts;

2.3              Nursery Survey;

2.4              Statewide Urban Areas Survey;

2.5              Early Detection in the Sierra Nevada.

3           Diagnostic, GIS database and map support:

3.1              Field and laboratory diagnostic support;

3.2              GIS database and map support;

3.3              Host maps.

The entire document is available at: http://www.suddenoakdeath.org

 

1.    SPATIAL ANALYSIS

1.1 Risk Assessment and Mapping

(From Ross Meentemeyer, Sonoma State University – Geographic Information Center (as of 10/14/02)).

Completed:

Preliminary SOD risk model for areas of California covered by CALVEG vegetation mapping, based on:

1           Vegetation

§         Relational database of species presence and abundance for each CALVEG vegetation alliance, compiled from text descriptions of the alliances; species which are known SOD hosts are coded as such and assigned a risk ranking score in the database;

§         SOD host vegetation scores for each CALVEG alliance, calculated as the sum of host species abundance score times host risk ranking score for all SOD hosts within each alliance;

§         Distribution map of SOD CALVEG host vegetation scores; maps show relative risk of SOD due to presence, abundance, and importance of SOD host species in the landscape

2           Climate

§         Climate maps of 30 year averages of total annual precipitation, July maximum temperature, January minimum temperature, spring relative humidity, and total annual snowfall;

§         Climate variables scored and weighted to map environmental suitability for the SOD pathogen;

3         Proximity

§         Derived map layer of proximity to confirmed sites of SOD infection, reclassified and scored to map increasing of risk of infection closer to currently infected sites

 

1.2 Remote Sensing (from Maggi Kelly).

Completed:

1.      Mapping of stressed trees using ADAR imagery

a.      Research has been completed, and a paper has been submitted for review in GeoCarto.

b.      Achieved 50% accuracy with automated methods, and 75% with additional field information.

c.      Summary: We investigated the ability of high spatial-resolution 4-band imagery (Airborne Digital Acquisition and Registration - ADAR) to discern moisture stress in trees affected by Sudden Oak Death (SOD). We wanted to test if the imagery could be used to distinguish between green oak trees with advanced SOD trunk symptoms, and green oaks with no SOD trunk symptoms. ADAR imagery of China Camp State Park in Marin County, California was flown in spring 2000 and 2001.  Training samples from the field consisting of the locations green healthy oaks and green symptomatic oaks were used to derive spectral signatures for the two classes. Both hierarchical unsupervised classification (HUC) and maximum likelihood classification (MLC) were used to classify the imagery.  Accuracy assessment and other spectral measurements were performed to analyze the separability of the two signatures.  Poor overall accuracy 55.17% was obtained by the HUC method. A better overall accuracy 74.19% was obtained by MLC method, but the low transformed divergence (1448) indicated poor separability of the training samples. The poor accuracy results can be explained by the fact that ADAR image has relatively broad spectral bands that combine narrow moisture- stress-sensitive regions with broader stress-insensitive regions; such combination could decrease the capability of ADAR to detect moisture stress. In addition, healthy oaks in the area display a marked variability in canopy condition, making it difficult to separate healthy trees from those experiencing some stress. In conclusion, this research indicated the inability to automate mapping of moisture stress in oaks using ADAR imagery, and limited success in using methods that require extensive field data. From Kelly and Liu, in Review.

2.      Mapping of dead and dying oaks in Marin Co.

a.      Papers published: Oak symposium, and PE&RS.

b.      Imagery (2000, 2001) classified using standard methods.

c.      New classifiers evaluated for 2000, 2001, and 2002 imagery

d.      Summary: Sudden Oak Death is caused by a newly discovered virulent pathogen (Phytophthora ramorum) that is killing thousands of native oak trees in California. We present a landscape-scale study on the spatio-temporal dynamics of the disease. Second order spatial point pattern analysis techniques (Ripley's K) were applied to the distribution of dead tree crowns (derived from high-resolution imagery) in Marin County, CA to determine the existence and scale of mortality clustering in two years (2000 and 2001). Both years showed clustering patterns between 100 and 300 m. A classification tree model was developed to predict spatial patterns in disease risk based on several landscape-scale variables.  Proximity to forest edge was the most important explanatory factor, followed by topographic moisture index, proximity to trails, abundance of Umbellularia californica, and potential summer solar radiation. This research demonstrates the utility of integrating remotely sensed imagery analysis with geographic information systems and spatial modeling for understanding the dynamics of exotic species invasions. From Kelly and Meentemeyer, 2001.

3.      Use of hyperspectral imagery to map oaks with SOD

a.      Paper in press in IJRS

b.      Water content of leaves correlated with portions of spectrum.

c.      Discrimination between healthy and stressed not found, work continues.

d.      Summary:  A total of 139 reflectance spectra (between 350 and 2500 nm) from coast live oak (Quercus Agrifolia) leaves were measured in the laboratory with a spectrometer FieldSpec®Pro FR. Correlation analysis was conducted between absorption features, three-band ratio indices derived from the spectra and corresponding relative water content (RWC, %) of oak leaves.  The experimental results indicate that there exist linear relationships between the RWC of oak leaves and absorption feature parameters: wavelength position (WAVE), absorption feature depth (DEP), width (WID) and the multiplication of DEP and WID (AREA) at the 975 nm, 1200 nm and 1750 nm positions and two three-band ratio indices: RATIO975 and RATIO1200, derived at 975 nm and 1200 nm. AREA has a higher and more stable correlation with RWC compared to other features.  It is worthy of noting that the two three-band ratio indices, RATIO975 and RATIO1200, may have potential application in assessing water status in vegetation. From Pu et al. in Press. Discrimination between healthy and stressed not found, work continues.

4.      Other imagery analysis

a.      CASI, ETM, IKONOS being evaluated.

 

1.3 Aerial Survey.

·         USFS, Cal Poly SLO, & UC Berkeley collectively involved in planning/implementing aerial surveys to detect/monitor SOD May-July 2002;

·         Survey area included 12 infested & 31 uninfested counties totaling 60 M acres, within which 20 M acres of potential host habitat prioritized for survey

·         Over 14,500 miles flown, mapping approx 150,000 acres (gross polygon area) hardwood mortality, over 450 polygons recorded using Digital Aerial Sketch-mapping System.

·         Ground visits just completed by USFS contract crews/near completion or completed by Cal Poly crews for approximately 100 priority polygons (some additional sites are being visited by counties interested in participating on ground effort). 

·         Information received to date by USFS has been summarized (as of 10-15-02):

o        Total sites visited (polygons, multiple points within, or points outside) = 103

o        Total number of samples submitted for testing = 52

o        Total number of results positive = 5 (2 contra costa, 2 monterey, 1 santa cruz by nursery)

o        Total number of results pending = 15

·         Paper Presentation accepted for upcoming SOD Science Symposium in Monterey

 

2. GROUND BASED SURVEYS

2.1 Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Plots

·         In progress, but no report submitted.

 

2.2 Systematic ground-based surveys for distribution of P. ramorum on leaf spot or twig dieback hosts;

·         In progress, but no report submitted.

 

2.3 Nursery Survey

·         Completed for 2002. See attached report.

 

2.4 Statewide Urban Areas Survey

·         In progress, but no report submitted.

 

2.5 Early detection survey for the Sierra Nevada (submitted by Susan Frankel).

·         We risk rated areas in the Sierra Nevada foothills and then randomly selected a percentage of the areas for sampling for P. ramorum. 

·         Four contractors drove over 9000 miles and checked P. ramorum hosts for infection.  The lab results are still pending from Rizzo/Garbelotto. 

·         It was difficult to tell maple scorch from possible P. ramorum infection. 

·         The survey covered the Sierra, Sequoia, Stanislaus, Eldorado, Tahoe, Plumas NF and Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP.   

·         The results will be presented at a future meeting, still to be decided. 

·         The project was a collaboration between Susan Frankel, Sylvia Mori, Mike Srago and Don Triplat. (Mike and Don are contractors).

 

The other accomplishment was with Garey Slaughter, confirmed that P. ramorum is present on the Los padres NF near Big Sur. This is the first find of SOD on NFS lands.

 

3. DIAGNOSTIC, GIS DATABASE AND MAP SUPPORT:

3.1 Field and laboratory diagnostic support

·         In progress, but no report submitted.

 

3.2 GIS database and map support

Maintain up-to-date spatial database of SOD

Database completed, and updated as new confirmations come in from CDFA and UC labs

·         22 batches of data have been sent out to cooperators statewide (14 collaborators, from PG&E, private organization, county regulators, forest service, CDF, research).

·         Confirmations have gone from 196 on 9-20-01 to 277 on 10-14-02 (not including Doug Fir and Redwood).

o        Up-to-date maintenance of GIS database of SOD distribution (from all sources: hand-drawn maps, field notes, GPS data, etc.)

o        Maintained metadata and projection for all data.

 

Provide access to up-to-date spatial database via:

-          Maps

o        Created on-demand customized user-specified county and zoomed-in maps, both page poster size.  Delivered via email, FTP downloading, or by burned CD through mail.  Used for variety of purposes: personal use, presentation, reference, etc.

o        Created database to track map and data requests, with person and use of maps and data.

o        Maps (~150) distributed to public (60%), government agencies (30%), private organizations affiliated with SOD project (5%) and non-profit/regional groups (5%).

 

-          Web (OakMapper site)

·         Total hits to OakMapper website since 1/1/02: over 4000, with over 500 per month.

·         Updated the interactive OakMapper webGIS application to make it faster, more user-friendly, and more useful for users from every discipline (public, researchers, regulator).  Added capabilities include customized printouts, find-address function to locate specific address or intersection of anywhere in California, hyperlink function that links to pictures of area affected and/or symptoms of affected trees. (http://hilda.espm.berkeley.edu/)

·         Created a separate OakMapper webGIS application for Aerial Survey work, to be used by CDF and other specialists for ground-truthing of areas of mortality as found through aerial survey.

·         Created a separate OakMapper webGIS application for researchers to communicate the location, purpose, and progress of individual SOD research projects, to be used by UC Berkeley, UC Davis, CalPoly, independent contractors and researchers, and others.

·         Kept each OakMapper website up-to-date as needed (as new data arrived).

·         Kept all metadata up-to-date, and created new table of contents to allow easy access to metadata.

 

-          Text reports

o        Available via the web.

 

 

3.3 Host maps (from RM)

In Progress:

·         Mapping SOD host species based on California GAP Project vegetation coverage; integration of GAP data into risk mapping for areas not covered by CALVEG;

·         Using USFS FIA plot data to validate the application of CALVEG and GAP Analysis vegetation data in mapping distribution and abundance of SOD host species;

·         Developing a statistical model of SOD risk based on relationships
between predictor variables and confirmed infection sites (incorporating FIA data, ground surveys, and COMTF reports).

·         Developing a dynamic model of SOD spread through time and
simulations of potential habitat loss as consequence of disease.

 

Nursery Survey.

Please see document below submitted by Kathy Kosta.

 

4           State of California

 

Memorandum

 

To:

 

 

 

Aurelio Posadas, Chief

Pest Exclusion

 

Date:

 

Place:

 

Phone:

January 21, 2003

 

Sacramento

 

916-654-0435

 

From: Department of Food and Agriculture       Umesh Kodira, Program Supervisor

                                                                   Pest Exclusion/Nursery, Seed, and Cotton Program

 

Subject:  Sudden Oak Death (SOD) Statewide Nursery Survey

 

A statewide survey for Phytophthora ramorum, the causal agent for Sudden Oak Death (SOD) has been completed.  Host plants in 99 nurseries (approximately 8,500 acres) and a quarter-mile buffer area around them were inspected for symptoms of Phytophthora ramorum, between February 25 and March 28, 2002.  California Department of Food and Agriculture Nursery Program biologists and staff members of 23 affected County Departments of Agriculture jointly performed the survey. 

The survey was risk-based and biologically biased in that it focused on nurseries 1) located in areas where known SOD host plants naturally occur and 2) that ship known hosts of Phytophthora ramorum.  Additional focus was placed on nurseries shipping to Canada.  No survey activities were performed in the 25 counties where these criteria were not met.

The closed-circles on the vegetation map (Attachment A) show the locations of the 99 nurseries surveyed.  Attachment B contains information on nurseries and counties surveyed to date, 17 of which ship nursery stock to Canada. 

Fifty-seven samples were collected during the survey and submitted to the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Plant Pest Diagnostics Center for analysis.  All samples have been tested and found to be negative for the presence of Phytophthora ramorum.

The process for the selection of nurseries to be surveyed was as follows:

·         A list of candidate nurseries was prepared based on two criteria:

1)     Nurseries that ship or were planning to ship nursery stock to Canada

2)     Nurseries producing any of the plants listed by Canada as host of SOD including all species in the following a) genera:  Acer, Arctostaphylos, Quercus, Viburnum, Aesculus, Lithocarpus, Rhamnus, Arbutus, Lonicera, Rhododendron and b) species: Vaccinium ovatum, Heteromeles arbutifolia, and Umbellularia californica).

·         The list of nurseries meeting the foregoing criteria was then pared down to those geographically located in areas of naturally occurring SOD host plants.  Using a vegetation map of naturally occurring SOD host plants, nurseries were selected to provide a wide distribution of nurseries in the natural SOD host vegetation zone.

·         A training session for CDFA Nursery biologists was held on February 22 to go over the survey plans, information on host plants, Phytophthora ramorum symptomatology, data recording, sample collection and submission, completion of Pest and Damage Record forms (PDRs), and reporting.