Since the 1996 article about Beech Bark Disease in Adirondack forests by Dick Sage appeared in AJES, we have gained some valuable information about effects of the disease on forest structure and wildlife. However, a lack of public awareness and research funding have limited the progress in understanding factors affecting spread and severity of the disease, mechanisms of disease resistance, and the future demographics of American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) in our forests. This paper reviews some of the research findings with respect to the effect of the invasive disease complex on forest structure and composition and wildlife populations. We present outcomes of recent research on disease resistance and discuss the application of all this information to silviculture and forest management. We draw heavily on research presented at the Beech Bark Disease Symposium held in Saranac Lake in June 2004. Our hope is to raise awareness about the great impact the disease has already had, and the continued impact it is likely to have in the future as it persists in long affected forests and spreads throughout the range of this stately tree.
Full article available as scan of original print version:
AJES-V12N1-pp9-12.pdf
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