Consequences of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on Forest Dynamics in Connecticut

Did you know a small insect from thousands of miles away has killed millions of trees in North America? Join Jack Hatajik, Forest Health Technician with The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and Yale School of the Environment graduate, as he shares the impact of emerald ash borers on Connecticut's forests. This presentation is free and geared towards adult, though all ages are welcome to attend.

Presentation description: The emerald ash borer (EAB) has killed millions of ash trees in North America, driving multiple native ash species towards functional extinction. With many areas experiencing ≥ 99% ash mortality, predicting how forests will regenerate is challenging. Here, we assess the relationships between EAB-induced ash mortality and groundstory plant cover and tree regeneration by sampling ash-dominant forests across Connecticut. Our results suggest that these forests are shifting towards a higher abundance of non-native plants and a reduction in native tree regeneration, particularly in nutrient-rich sites. These results highlight a need for proactive management to sustain forest health and productivity in stands at high risk for species invasions.

Biography: Jack Hatajik is a Forest Health Technician working in the Office of Forest Health at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, where he assists in state-wide research related to novel forest disturbances and forest ecology. Recently, he received a Master of Forest Science from The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment, where he conducted research on the impacts of the emerald ash borer and invasive plants on forests in Connecticut. He also received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh, where he conducted research on the invasion dynamics of garlic mustard in Pennsylvania.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/g/gG8VjxZpCZ