Impacts on Wildlife From Emerald Ash Borer

Determine Impacts on Wildlife From Emerald Ash Borer Infection of Black Ash Forests

Research Team

• Alexis Grinde (PhD) - Research Program Manager, Wildlife Ecologist
• Nick Walton (MS) - Quantitative Ecologist
• Josh Bednar (MS) - Wildlife Ecologist

Research Focus

1. Provide baseline information to assess existing conditions and establish a long‐term monitoring program for wildlife communities in black ash forests to support future monitoring efforts as EAB spreads;
2. Evaluate the effects of mitigation and adaptation strategies on wildlife communities under simulated invasion scenarios to quantify long‐term impacts on species diversity; and
3. Identify vulnerable wildlife species and develop recommendations and strategies to maintain biodiversity.

Current Research Activities

Winter 2017: Experimental black ash stands are being monitored with Digital Audio Recorders (DARs) and camera traps for winter wildlife activity. 

Photographs captured by camera traps in experimental emerald ash borer plots, October 2016. A.) gray jay, B.) American marten, C.) white-tailed deer, D.) short-tailed weasel.

Funding

This research project is funded by Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through June 30, 2019.