Angelo Coast Range Reserve

13 Apr, 04 AM - 14 Apr, 09 AM

A network of sampling locations will monitor Phytophthora ramorum infestation, causal agent of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) across a range of rivers, streams, and creeks throughout coastal northern California watersheds. The primary areas of focus include Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo counties, where P. ramorum detection has been limited, but ecological parameters and risk models predict these as high-risk areas for P. ramorum infection. Research objectives aim to learn more about P. ramorum distribution and infestation levels within these watersheds. This monitoring may provide a method of early detection for P. ramorum infestation and help to identify areas of potential future SOD epidemics. Phytophthora species have been shown to effectively infect leaves of Rhododendron species placed in watercourses if Phytophthora species infection propagules are abundant enough. Clean, disease-free leaves of Rhododendron species will be placed in small mesh bags and secured with rope to stream banks in watercourses for 2-3 week intervals in order to bait for the plant pathogen. Sampling methods will ensure no new introduction of Phytophthora species into sampling sites. All tools and shoes will be sterilized before every sampling trip and new sampling materials will be utilized at each site. The Rhododendron leaves that will be used are a horticultural variety from a local nursery (outside of the SOD quarantine zone) and were treated with Phytophthora effective fungicides at the nursery prior to purchase for this research project. The plants are continuously monitored for disease by our research group and stored in our research facilities at UC Davis for more than five months. Leaves are picked fresh prior to each sampling. No invasive sampling methods will be used. We anticipate sampling these sites year-round, therefore perennial watercourses will be selected. Specific sites at the Angelo Coast Range Reserve will be decided upon arrival since we have never visited the reserve before. We will choose approximately three to six stream sites along a perennial stream course, most likely the south fork of the Eel River and/or its tributaries. There will be no disturbance to the reserve's ecosystem, no collecting, and no manipulative or destructive sampling. We will be placing inconspicuous mesh bags into the water with clean, disease-free Rhododendron leaves encased that will float on the water surface and be replaced approximately every two weeks to bait for Phytophthora species. The bags will be tied to a branch, tree trunk, or other available anchor to the side of streams with white nylon 3/16" solid braid rope (highly visible and easily removed). If stream flow is relatively fast the bags may be additionally anchored with a 1-pound fishing weight tied to 80 pound, white (highly visible) fishing line and placed in the flow to anchor the bag in place. These methods have been tested and are currently being used at many other sites throughout coastal California watercourses. All materials will be removed after completion of the study. During initial set up and sampling we would like to stay at the reserve in available accommodations for one night. It is undecided at this time if subsequent trips will require lodging at the reserve. We will not require any additional resources from the reserve.

Visit #4981 @Angelo Coast Range Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 3934 | Research

Monitoring Phytophthora ramorum distribution in coastal California watersheds

faculty - California Polytechnic State University (CSU), San Luis Obispo

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 2 Research Scientist/Post Doc Apr 13 - 14, 2004 (2 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

HQ House 2 Apr 13 - 14, 2004