<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>In Latvia, during the last 15 years (2000–2015), the area of common ash <italic>Fraxinus excelsior</italic> forest stands has decreased by 40.6%. The dieback was predominantly caused by the fungal pathogen <italic>Hymenoscyphus fraxineus</italic>. Mostly young stands (up to 40 years old) were affected, accounting for 77.3% of the area of dieback. In this paper, we analysed the dynamics of young ash stand area within nature regions in Latvia to attempt to determine patterns of spread and the major migration routes of <italic>H. fraxineus</italic>. As suggested by the available data, the invasion of the fungal pathogen began in the southern part of Latvia, and then gradually dispersed across the country. The largest decline of young ash stands, during the period 2000–2010, occurred in lowlands. According to our estimate, the average rate of dispersal in Latvia was 40 km per year. At the scale of Latvia, the dispersal routes of fungal pathogen <italic>H. fraxineus</italic> largely coincide with the major migration corridors of biota and are related to macro-relief forms and their configuration.</p></abstract>

In Latvia, during the last 15 years (2000–2015), the area of common ash Fraxinus excelsior forest stands has decreased by 40.6%. The dieback was predominantly caused by the fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Mostly young stands (up to 40 years old) were affected, accounting for 77.3% of the area of dieback. In this paper, we analysed the dynamics of young ash stand area within nature regions in Latvia to attempt to determine patterns of spread and the major migration routes of H. fraxineus. As suggested by the available data, the invasion of the fungal pathogen began in the southern part of Latvia, and then gradually dispersed across the country. The largest decline of young ash stands, during the period 2000–2010, occurred in lowlands. According to our estimate, the average rate of dispersal in Latvia was 40 km per year. At the scale of Latvia, the dispersal routes of fungal pathogen H. fraxineus largely coincide with the major migration corridors of biota and are related to macro-relief forms and their configuration.

Spread of <italic>Hymenoscyphus fraxineus</italic> in Latvia: Analysis based on Dynamics of Young Ash Stands

Latvian State Forest Research Institute „Silava”, Rīgas iela 111, Salaspils, LV-2169, LATVIA

Forest Sector Competence Centre, Dzērbenes iela 27, Rīga, LV-1006, LATVIA

Nature Conservation Agency, Baznīcas iela 7, Sigulda, LV-2150, LATVIA

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Spread of  in Latvia: Analysis based on Dynamics of Young Ash Stands

In Latvia, during the last 15 years (2000–2015), the area of common ash Fraxinus excelsior forest stands has decreased by 40.6%. The dieback was predominantly...

Spread of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus in Latvia: Analysis based on Dynamics of Young Ash Stands

Published Online: Aug 02, 2016

Page range: 124 - 130

Received: Mar 08, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/prolas-2016-0020

Keywords
dieback, young stands, migration routes

© 2016 Māris Laiviņš et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Spread of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus in Latvia: Analysis based on Dynamics of Young Ash Stands

Published Online: Aug 02, 2016

Page range: 124 - 130

Received: Mar 08, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/prolas-2016-0020

Keywordsdieback, young stands, migration routes

© 2016 Māris Laiviņš et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
dieback, young stands, migration routes