#Adelges tsugae

[nynhcal]

Tiny Beetle Provides Hope for Hemlocks | N.C. Cooperative Extension

Across western North Carolina, the dead remnants of many giant hemlock trees still stand. A majority of these trees met their demise in the early 2000s, when hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) made its way up and down the eastern seaboard. As a result of this rampant spread, populations of Eastern (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina … — Read on ashe.ces.ncsu.edu/2022/02/laricobius_survey/

[landscapedesignfirm]

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Spotlight on an Invasive Species of Pennsylvania

In the fourth installment of our series on invasive species of insects, we will discuss the hemlock woolly adelgid. The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA, or adelges tsugae) is a tiny, sap-sucking insect native to East Asia. Recognized as an invasive species in the United States, the pest has been identified in multiple states and was found in Pennsylvania in the late 1960s. The HWA is a significant threat to eastern hemlock trees, the state tree of Pennsylvania.

As plant health care professionals, we want to help you and other Pennsylvania residents understand the impact of this invasive pest and keep your hemlock trees safe. Below, we discuss the characteristics, life cycle, damage and treatment of hemlock woolly adelgid in Pennsylvania.

Identifying the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Adelgids are a small family of insects closely related to aphids that feed on the plant sap of conifer trees and, in the hemlock woolly adelgid’s case, hemlock and spruce trees. The insect measures less than 1/16 inch (1.5mm) and is covered in a wool-like wax filament, giving the pest a “cottony” appearance. Females are black, oval, soft-bodied, and about 1.5 mm long. HWA is primarily found on the underside of hemlocks’ branches, nestled against the base of the needles.

The Life Cycle of the HWA

The hemlock woolly adelgid possesses an intricate two-year life cycle, encompassing four immature stages and culminating in a reproductive adult phase. Throughout late winter and early spring, as temperatures climb, adult female HWAs begin laying eggs. These clusters of eggs, housed within white filamentous wax masses, continue to be laid until June. Measuring 0.25 mm in length and 0.15 mm in width, the oblong eggs have a brownish-orange color. Depending on the warmth of the spring season, hatching starts in early April and typically concludes by the end of June. Emerging as reddish-brown nymphs, or “crawlers,” these young insects display a delicate white fringe near their anterior. Once settled, crawlers grow to approximately 0.3 mm long, and take on a black hue with a white fringe that encircles their bodies and extends along their dorsal side. As these nymphs develop, their color deepens to a dark reddish-brown, and their size progressively increases due to active feeding habits. By late September, these mature female insects reside on trees, overwintering before repeating the reproductive process of the species.

Recognizing an Infestation

The most apparent sign of HWA infestation is the white, “cottony” egg sacs on the underside of hemlock branches that the females produce when laying eggs. These egg sacs look much like the tip of a cotton swab and typically persist even after the insects are dead. Other signs include needle loss, reduced twig growth, and dieback of branches.

Damage Caused by Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

The impact of an HWA infestation on eastern hemlock trees can be catastrophic to the tree, depending on the extent of the infestation. The adelgids use sharp, syringe-like mouthparts, or stylets, to siphon off essential plant fluids from host plants. This feeding activity takes a toll on the plant’s overall health. A moderate population of the hemlock woolly adelgid may lead to a noticeable decline in the health and vigor of your trees. However, the consequences become more serious in a severe infestation. This could result in a premature shedding of needles, diminished growth of twigs, significant dieback, and in worst cases, the loss of the tree. This danger to the trees makes early detection and decisive action in managing these unwelcome pests important.

Managing & Controlling Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

We are often asked to manage this pest in late September through October. We use several methods for managing infestations of hemlock woolly adelgid.

Insecticides

Registered systemic insecticides applied in late September and October can reduce hemlock woolly adelgid populations and temporarily prevent the establishment of new infestations for up to seven years. These systemic insecticides are usually injected into tree trunks or applied as a soil drench or injection. These insecticides often target overwintering females. A plant health care expert can also apply sprays during other times of the year. A mid-to-late June spray may help reduce the number of developing nymphs. This management strategy is appropriate when thorough coverage is difficult to achieve using ground application equipment. Early spring soil injections usually work well against this pest when the soil is sufficiently irrigated.

Biological Control

Predatory insects can also be used to control HWA populations. The species most commonly used for this application are Laricobius nigrinus, a beetle native to the western United States, and Sasajiscymnus tsugae, a beetle native to Japan. Both beetle species are attracted to the white woolly egg masses that HWA produces. In addition, the beetles feed on the HWA, and their larvae also feed on the pest. While most often used in forests, this method is becoming more common for residential hemlock trees in the United States. This is because biological controls to remove species of harmful pests can be a more environmentally friendly method of control than using chemicals. As with insecticides, a qualified arborist should perform this treatment. A certified arborist can help you assess the severity of the infestation and recommend the best course of action.

Contact Burkholder PHC for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Treatment in Your Landscape

If you suspect or are concerned about the presence of hemlock woolly adelgid on your property, contact Burkholder PHC for expert advice and treatment options. We provide a free evaluation by our highly experienced, qualified plant health care experts and certified arborists to help remove and control invasive species and the adverse effects these pests cause. Contact Burkholder PHC today for a free consultation.

Blog is originally published at: https://www.burkholderphc.com/the-hemlock-woolly-adelgid-spotlight-on-an-invasive-species-of-pennsylvania/

It is republished with the permission from the author.

[wildflowers-of-southern-ontario]

June 28, 2022

The Canadian Council on Invasive Species (CCIS) gave a short presentation of the top 10 invasive species already in Canada or that could come to Canada from south of our border and that we therefore should be on the alert for. 

The top 10 invasive species were as follows:

Asian long-horned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis

Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula

Asian giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia

Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis

Hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae

Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys

Dutch elm disease, Ophiostoma ulmi and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi

Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica

Spongy moth (also LDD moth; previously gypsy moth), Lymantria dispar dispar

Lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii

I have definitely seen at least three of these species and/or the damage they have done, specifically 4, 8, and 9. 

You can help by reporting these species through, for example, iNaturalist. CCIS has their own project on iNaturalist, titled “I Spy and Identify Invasives / Je vois, J’identifie les espèces envahissantes”, which you can join: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/i-spy-and-identify-invasives-je-vois-j-identifie-les-especes-envahissantes. The CCIS also has a whole webpage on how and where to report: https://canadainvasives.ca/take-action/report/.

[dendroica]

Long-term study reveals one invasive insect can change a forest bird community

Eastern hemlock forests have been declining due to a non-native insect pest, the hemlock woolly adelgid. A new study from The Condor: Ornithological Applications presents some of the best long-term data showing how the decline of a single tree species (eastern hemlock) leads to the disappearance of birds specialized to those trees. The data also indicate birds associated with non-hemlock habitat features (deciduous forest, woodland edge, and shrubs) are spreading into former hemlock forests. A single insect species has led to a less diverse bird community across this landscape.

Pennsylvania State University's Matthew Toenies and colleagues analyzed a long-term response to the decline of eastern hemlocks using vegetation and bird abundance surveys. The researchers took advantage of surveys they had conducted in 2000 before adelgids had caused hemlock decline and compared those data to new data from the same forests in 2015-16, after decline. They then analyzed how both individual bird species and groups of species responded to this habitat change.

The data showed that as hemlocks became less abundant in the forest, the bird species most associated with these trees also disappeared. As the hemlock-specific birds left, birds that are normally found in more general hardwood forests replaced them. Thus, biodiversity was reduced with the decline of hemlocks as well and the composition of the landscape became more similar over a larger area.

"Invasive species, climate change, and land-use change are all similar in that they make our world a less diverse place, and this study helps greatly in understanding how the loss of the eastern hemlock plays its own role in the degradation of biodiversity," adds University of Connecticut Professor Morgan Tingley, a community ecologist who was not involved in this research.

Lead author Matthew Toenies says, "To sum up, to people who are saddened by the loss of hemlocks and the birds that rely on them, I would say one thing: We cannot turn back the clock—we cannot un-introduce the hemlock woolly adelgid; but we absolutely possess the power to prevent this story from repeating itself."

[botanytoo]

Seasonal variation in effects of herbivory

Seasonal variation in effects of herbivory

Long-term common garden for experimentation on effects of hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) on eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Image credit: Robert Schaeffer Invasive herbivores can dramatically impact the nitrogen economy of native hosts. In eastern forests of the United States, the foundational conifer eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is under threat of extirpation by the invasive…

[continent-of-wild-endeavor]

I also love hemlocks, and the cool open mossy forests they create, soft needles on the ground, and their little cones, and the dry twigs they always have ready to help start your campfire. They are beautiful trees...and they are all going to die. It makes me sad to even think about them now. NC is at the southern end of their range, and they’re only in the mountains, but they always felt so typical of the place. Already the older trees are dead or dying, and while young ones look healthy you can look at the undersides of the needles and see that they’re all infested. I might need one of these necklaces. As a memorial.

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) necklaces! ♥ Hemocks are my VERY favorite tree! I’m so excited to have a necklace in honor of them! These are made using real hemock branches, no two will ever be alike. I’ve spent years of my life among these trees. They are so gorgeous, in any season. The create an entirely different forest, an ecosytem of their own. These trees hold a very special place in my heart! Frolic in the Forest on Etsy!

[carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory]

Collected November 3, 1984: The State Tree of Pennsylvania

This specimen of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) was collected by former Carnegie Museum botany curator Sue Thompson on November 3, 1984 in Somerset County.  Not only was this specimen collected in the highest point in Pennsylvania (Mt. Davis, 3,213 ft), but the species is also the official state tree of Pennsylvania.  How’s that for your state trivia!?!  

And this is a nice-looking specimen! Hemlock is a challenging species for the herbarium. It is notorious for shedding all of its needles when dried.  Many specimens are just sticks with all the fallen needles shoved into an envelope.

Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a culturally and biologically important species. A keystone dominant species found across many eastern North American forests, hemlock serves as important habitat to many birds, among other species. Its leaves are evergreen and remarkable in casting some of the deepest shade, making the understory below it distinct. Many species are adapted to “hemlock-hardwood forests.” It provides food, shelter, and impacts nutrient and water cycles. It is a late successional tree, meaning its presence often indicates older, more intact forests.

Unfortunately, this species is in decline across its range, and it may become the “next American chestnut” so to speak.  Hemlock is attacked by an introduced, invasive insect – the hemlock wooly adelgid (Adelges tsugae). The sap-sucking bug was accidentally introduced from its native East Asia, spreading to eastern hemlocks in the 1950s. First in the southern US, the impacts of the adelgid are clear in Great Smokey National Park, with hemlock stands wiped out and only the dead trunks and branches. The insect is fairly new to western Pennsylvania, only found in our region relatively recently and not yet fully spread.  Check the undersides of hemlock needles for hemlock wooly adelgid. If the tree is infected, you’ll see their distinctive white cotton-like egg sacs.

As forest pests like the hemlock wooly adelgid spread and affect our forests, herbarium specimens are critical, serving as baseline data for species distributions and effects on other species through time and across sites.

Find this specimen online here: http://midatlanticherbaria.org/portal/collections/individual/index.php?occid=11739325

Check back for more! Botanists at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History share digital specimens from the herbarium on dates they were collected. They are in the midst of a three-year project to digitize nearly 190,000 plant specimens collected in the region, making images and other data publicly available online. This effort is part of the Mid-Atlantic Megalopolis Project (mamdigitization.org), a network of thirteen herbaria spanning the densely populated urban corridor from Washington, D.C. to New York City to achieve a greater understanding of our urban areas, including the unique industrial and environmental history of the greater Pittsburgh region. This project is made possible by the National Science Foundation under grant no. 1801022.

Mason Heberling is Assistant Curator of Botany at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Museum employees are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.

[marissastaxidermy]

Hi, I've read an article named "hunting myths and facts" when I was searching for arguments for and against hunting, and what do you think about it? It says that baiting deer with human food is dangerous and that wildlife agencies artificially raise deer populations before hunting season.

Hello, I’m glad you asked! Before I get into it I just want to say that I’m grateful you are doing some research, are willing to ask questions, and that we can have this conversation peacefully. I looked up the article that you are referencing and it does make some seemingly good points, but also seems biased and only scratches the surface. For anyone else who would like to read it: link. My partner is going to help me answer this because it is a very multifaceted topic- thus this will be a long post. Please note most of our experience is based on New York state.

Let’s first address the artificial overpopulation argument.The article seems to say that state agencies purposely create habitat that willincrease deer populations for hunting. They mention clear cutting and plantingfood plots.

Clear cuts:

It is true due to colonial clearcuts we have lost much of our old growth stands in America. However, allforests should not be old growth. In a natural setting forests go throughdisturbance (ice, wind, fire, natural inundation, etc), this resets what istypically referred to as forest succession. Some trees like the pitch pine Pinus regida have what’s called aserotinous cone. These serotinous cones are glued shut and can only open torelease seeds once fire has partially burned them. They have adapted thisstrategy as they would be out competed by other trees which are less resistantto fire, so this tree saves its seeds until fire comes through. In the animalworld we have species like the Kirtland’s warbler Setophaga kirtlandii, these birds can only nest in jack pines, Pinus banksiana less than 15 years old.The New England cottontail, Sylvolagustransitionalis is declining more than ever due to a lack of earlysuccession (freshly disturbed sites).

The main problem is disturbance forforests will also disturb humans. We suppress natural disturbances like fire.By encouraging sustainable logging (plant whatever you cut) you can maintainevery stage of forest succession while still providing forest products, jobs,and specialized habitat. For every species I mentioned that needs earlysuccession, there’s an alternate species that requires old growth, or mid stagesuccession.

State agencies boast better deerhunting through clear-cutting because it’s true. It incentives the public bygetting clear-cuts on their side. Clear-cuts improve deer by improving theirhabitat – this is not the same thing as overpopulating deer. The bottom line iswhether it is for deer or not, clear cuts are necessary in a world where humansoccupy and control so much habitat.

Food Plots:

               In mostcases food plots are not encouraged by state agencies. However, this does vary fromstate to state. As a former employee of the bureau of wildlife in the NYSdepartment of environmental conservation I want everyone to understand wildlifemanagement is more human management than anything else. When feeding deer wasfirst banned in New York it was such an ingrained practice in the Adirondackregion (I.E region 5 & 6) that not only did the people not stop, but policeofficers in the area refused to enforce the law. Most recently while I wasworking in region 3 we were seeking to eradicate mute swans, Cygnus olor. The mute swan destroysrooted plants, is incredibly aggressive, and without getting into too muchdetail is simply a horrible invasive species which is bad for native waterfowland wetlands. It seems like a no brainer, if we can aim to eliminate theharmful hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelgestsugae why not another destructive invasive species? In short the publicwas so outraged that the state government wanted to kill the “symbol of love”the management plan was rapidly scratched. Just because something makes sensefrom a management perspective does not mean it can be implemented! My salary isnot paid by the tax payers, all management is not aided by nature lovers,hikers, bird watchers, or animal rights groups. My salary is paid by theRobert-Pittman act and hunting licenses. When you buy a gun and a huntinglicense you’re not just helping deer, you’re helping most species. State agenciesopenly want better deer hunting, however overpopulated deer do not generallymake for good hunting.

Would a Wildlife Management agency support hunting?Absolutely. People rarely raise money for biologists any other way. That’s alltrue. Hunting is not an incentive for the biologists who genuinely want to seea more sustainable ecosystem and understand wildlife, but rather the incentivefor the public to support them. What wildlife management units want is toencourage farmers to manage their land in a way that supports and preserveswildlife, instead of just pushing wildlife out and solely favoring ‘game’/deerto hunt. I don’t think wildlife management workers have ever called for addingfood plots to state/federal land and refuges. Even though its public land it istypically illegal for the public to disturb the land by planting anything.Biologists are free to manage it as best for all wildlife and we can see thatfood plots to artificially boost deer populations are not part of the plan.This article is focusing on private land, where a biologists can’t see afragmented and unhealthy habitat and just decide to fix it. They need toconvince the land owner that it will benefit them and most often land ownerswill only cooperate if it supports better hunting (even though it’s reallybenefiting soil, plants, birds, entire ecosystems, etc on top of it). Severalstate agencies even have programs to incentivize agricultural land owners totransform farmland into wetlands (wetland reserves programs) to decrease theeffects of soil erosion and support all native wildlife.

Humans:

               Highways,lawns, agriculture, and roads provide more edge habitat than deer can use. Illegalfeeding, or unintentional feeding (ornamental plants or gardens), and wintershelter from homes all cause overpopulation. It has been observed that yardingdeer will often seek the warm of a home as a windbreak above conifer stands.Before hunting regulations the white-tail deer was near extirpated from NewYork. In fact New York did lose the wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo from the 1850s until it was reintroduced inthe 1950’s. Now because of artificial help they’re doing better than ever, andthey’re doing especially well in communities without hunting. Suburban deer area nightmare in the world of wildlife biology.

               Withoutnatural predators and with all the artificial help deer can get, it’s no wonderthey are largely overpopulated in many areas. Most harvestable species arewhat’s called compensatory. State agencies only have hunters kill a proportionof the population that will be eliminated with or without humans. For example,roughly 20% of the mallard population, Anasplatyrhynchos will die every year. USFWS aims for hunters to take around10-11%. No matter if you have a very liberal season or a very conservativeseason, the amount of ducks dead does not change. We could allow the full 20%to die off and lose the economic value (hunting license, gas, coffee, ammo,staying at hotels, camping, etc), but in the case of many species that revenueis critical in protecting them. Humans destroy habitat, pollute ecosystems, andbuild projects right over key habitat. Without that revenue we wouldn’t have aDEC or DNR to clean spills, conduct environmental impact statements, monitorpopulations, or survey for T&E species.

Carrying Capacity  

               It istrue you cannot have more species alive than the environment can support. Wesee an S shaped curve for the carrying capacity of many rabbits. The populationbooms, then busts. The problem with deer is we support them above the carryingcapacity indirectly. Many areas in Long Island, NY are overrun by deer with nopredators and no hunters. In some urban cases agencies hire trained sharpshooters to come and kill deer in the middle of the night. Eventually, yes youdo see the deer population drop, but it’ll come right back with the problemsassociated. Why allow individuals to die of from disease and starvation when wecould be generating revenue for most other species, wildlife refuges, andbiologists to monitor the ecosystem. When DDT’s were decimating the eaglepopulation in the 1960’s and 70’s Robert-Pitman money generated by hunters surehelped state research scientists like Peter Nye (In NY) to figure out what wascausing the problem and how to fix it.

               Inshort, hunting is extremely important. The way humans are you wouldn’t havedeer without regulatory hunting. People would definitely poach illegally and decimatepopulations without regulation (like what happened to the Passenger Pigeon) orunintentionally produce an overpopulation through simply owning a home andgarden. Overpopulations of deer encourage the very factors (disease, stuntedgrowth, early death (i.e smaller antlers)) hunters don’t want to see. If theright amount of people harvest deer, you won’t have population booms and busts,you’ll only have that compensatory portion of the population utilized. Thearticle also says that good genes are weeded out through hunting. The strongaren’t necessarily the ones who survive when it comes to natural deaths, it’s agame of luck. The article argues that only trophy animals are hunted so thepopulation’s genes suffer, but hunting seasons begin during the end of thebreeding season. So any of the ‘trophy’ deer that are harvested will stilllikely have offspring because they are usually the first to breed. It also doesnot give deer the credit they deserve. The biggest bucks are typically theoldest and they didn’t get to that age by being stupid. It’s arguable that theyrecognize the hunting season and will stay hidden away or in extremely ruralareas to avoid it. The majority of hunters will probably never even see deerpast the age of three years old during hunting season. Here is a journal thatattempts to determine the causes of the decline in bighorn horn sizes (theproblem mentioned in the article). It does not seem that hunting pressure is one of the main causes, even with thelargest trophies being sought out.

Finally my biggest issue is theending paragraph because they are so incredibly correct! And then they go tothe other extreme. No, not every person in America should hunt. That would becompletely unrealistic and decimate wildlife. People cannot be trusted when itcomes to moderation, and excess harvesting is no exception. For the same reasonthat everyone hunting wouldn’t work, everyone becoming vegan would not work.Agriculture does a lot of native habitat damage and when harvested with machine(which would be unavoidable if every person was vegan) results in mass animaland insect death. The only way for everyone to be completely cruelty free is toeither sustainably gather wild edibles or grow your own food, preferablyharvesting wild invasives and growing plants without pesticides. Even thatposes a problem, if every person harvested their own wild edibles we’d depletethe natural resource. 

So to conclude: things are neverever cut and dry. Yes, wildlife management does encourage hunting but thatargument does not necessarily provide all the facets that go into thatdecision. Yes, feeding deer with human food is definitely dangerous (here’sa little handout about that), but farmers can be incentivized to plant thingslike clover that they will eat. Hunters can be jerks, I’m not denying that, buthunting is not inherently about raising deer or trophies to kill for sport.Vegetarians are not wrong. Vegans are not wrong. The irony is we need ALL ofthese lifestyle variations to survive. 

[biologycore]

“EVALUATING THE IMPACTS OF HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID TO THE ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE, AND THE BIODIVERISTY” by Milser Jean D. Bajenting

The synthesis paper aims to weigh and evaluate the impacts of this invasive species to our environment, people, and biodiversity. This paper aims to show current examples to let the reader see that this is a problem that some part of the world is currently facing. This paper aims to show solutions and alternatives in facing this present-world problem.

Invasive species are organisms that cause ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native (NOAA-U.S. Department of Commerce, 2016). Invasive species may have a good and bad effect to the environment, the people, other organisms and plants, and the biodiversity of that certain area. Invasive species are introduced due to agricultural purposes or due to accidents that caused its introduction to a non-native area. These species may bring benefits in the short term but there is always as side effect in everything we do which also applies to introducing invasive species.

According to Australian Museum (2016), biodiversity can be seen as the diversity of the ecosystem, species, and genetic. Biodiversity is important because it supports the increase and maintenance of life in this world because everyone has an important role to play in order for each and everyone of us to survive.

                                                         Figure 1. Hemlock Wooly Adelgid

The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, is an invasive insect from Asia that rapidly kills infested hemlock trees (Environmental Science, 2017). Hemlock trees are scientifically named as Tsuga canadensis. They are categorized as evergreens and conifers and are commonly found in the forests of eastern North America. Hemlock trees are commonly used for construction purposes and are a source of tannic acid for tanning leather. These trees serves as a home to other species such as wild turkey, songbirds, and many more. They also serve as food for some organisms (Meier, 2016). But due to the introduction of the species hemlock woolly adelgid, hemlock trees are being eaten and are now decreasing and causing a decline in there ecosystem.

The increasing number of this invasive species caused the decrease in the number of hemlock trees which in turn decreases the unique ecosystem of that area. Due to this, the ecosystem becomes unstable and reduces biodiversity. Those who depend on the hemlock trees for shelter, food, and other uses will also decrease in number. When other organisms start to decrease, the ecosystem is also affected. Birds that once depended on that tree will decrease in number and the roles of those birds in the environment will be neglected leading to changes in the environment. People who depended on it for construction purposes will find other trees to use but this will decrease their economy and will start another cycle of decreasing number of a different kind of tree, and decreasing organisms, and an unbalanced biodiversity. Biodiversity is also important because genetic variability helps a population adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions thus they would have a higher chance to survive (Dowd, 2017).

Hemlock trees are foundation species. Foundation species are species that has a strong role in forming a community. The activities of foundation species physically modify the environment and produce and maintain habitats that benefit other organisms that use those habitats, an example of this are corals which create coral reefs for fishes live and reproduce (The Saylor Foundation, 2016). Fishes and aquatic animals are also affected by the decrease in hemlock trees since it provides them shade from the scorching sun. It is where the water is cooler and is needed by some fishes that prefer colder water to survive. A decrease in those kinds of fishes affects the aquatic ecosystem and also the food chain cycle.

Trees are important for our survival. Also a decrease in trees generally affects the carbon cycle. And with the increasing human population, what would happen to us if trees are now declining. Trees are responsible for giving us clean and fresh air.  If they were to be extinct due to the unstoppable cause of its decline, then there would be a significant increase of carbon dioxide and a significant decrease of oxygen (Naseem, 2011). There would be an increase in pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, thus; increasing the world temperature that would lead to hastening climate change. Thus, destroying the planet we live in.

Soil micro flora is important in maintaining healthy plants, and trees are responsible for having a healthy soil and a thriving soil micro flora. When those trees decline due to persistent insect pest or human activities, the soil will be prone to soil erosion leading to nutrients being lost and causing the fertility of the soil to decline. When the soil is destroyed, not only the economy of agriculture of an area will fall but the people will also have nothing to eat. Supply of food will decrease and predators that rely on plants will now decrease. And the chain reaction will follow, and eventually resulting to the destruction of our ecosystem.

With these impacts brought by these persistent invasive species, such as the hemlock woolly adelgid, solutions and actions should be made to prevent such destruction. Environmental stewardship, which refers to responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices, should be done. There are 3 types of environmental stewards: doers, donors, and practitioners. Doers are basically volunteers who take action, go out and help organization and other people with the same goal, to conserve the environment. A donor is the person that financially helps the cause, they willingly give without asking for return. They can do anything from donating their money, to hosting public events to raise funds. They are typically governmental agencies. Lastly there are practitioners. They work on a day-to-day basis to steer governmental agencies, scientists, stakeholder groups, or any other group toward a stewardship outcome. Together these 3 groups make up environmental stewards and with their help, we can keep the ecosystem running healthily. Each and every one of us is responsible in taking care of the earth, thus we should make an effort to be environmental stewards. Educating ourselves and others would really help in preventing anymore damage. We should see to it that we are responsible and make decisions that would not negatively impact our world. Without these groups it would be hard to get any sort of sustainability in our increasingly industrially based world (Wikipedia, 2017).

Aside from that, people should be educated about the dos and don’ts in terms of the environment. People should be educated enough to transfer species from one area to another since you may not know what it might cause the environment. They should be aware of the laws and regulations in their area regarding these to prevent invasive species from increasing and causing problems in the ecosystem.

According to Environmental Science (2017), promoting the harvest of invasive species is another widely used technique in decreasing its number, although it has been employed with limited success. It is also best to encourage scientist to better study these invasive species in order to know how to control them and prevent further destruction.

Genetic studies can also yield significant data about how invasive species have spread in an area and their potential to crossbreed with native species.Predicting how the geographic range of an invasive species will increase is important for preparing new areas that may be invaded. Much research has also been devoted to determining the most effective ways of removing invasive plants, whether through herbicides or through mechanical destruction of the plants. While many invasive species may not ever be fully eradicated, increased awareness and research offer methods of preventing their spread and controlling the economic and environmental damage they can incur.

[treetyoself]

Eastern Hemlock

(3/8/17)

On a spontaneous day-trip to Fall Creek Falls State Park, we traversed one of Tennessee’s greatest natural treasures. With waterfalls every which way, wonder would surely ensue. After passing Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and the Cascades, we found our way to Fall Creek Falls. According to the park’s website, at 256 feet, it is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern U.S. Befriending the falls is a forest of hemlocks. Their skyward crowns soak up the sun, while the bottom branches manage a continuous, cool, misty breeze. With forest and falls each forcing my attention, it’s a wonder we made it anywhere else.

Species: Tsuga canadensis

Common Name: Canada hemlock, Hemlock spruce

Interesting Note: “Eastern hemlocks are currently under attack by an exotic sap sucking insect that originated from Asia. The hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is a serious pest that threatens to eliminate all eastern hemlock stands. Hemlock woolly adelgid has caused significant decline in hemlock crown health” (NPS). On the bottom side of the leaves, these inconspicuous, tiny white blobs are ravaging entire ecosystems. The tree above does not have a severe condition, but you can still see the adelgid.

Source: nps.gov, tnstateparks.com