Joey Hulbert

Joey Hulbert

Feb 06, 2015

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Sudden Oak Death

The picture above was provided by the USDA Forest Service-Region 5-FHP.

Sudden oak death is a disease of oaks and tanoaks in forests of Oregon and California (see below video). The presence of the disease is environmentally and economically damaging. P. ramorum has killed over a million trees in California in the last decade and was first observed in coastal forests of California in the mid-1990s.


Phytophthora ramorum is the microorganism responsible for sudden oak death. The organism was accidentally introduced into the US through the nursery trade. The origin of this organism remains unknown. Plants purchased from an infected nursery planted in urban oak woodland interfaces likely transmitted P. ramorum into the forest. Now, two decades later, it has spread nearly throughout the entire distribution of tanoak. P. ramorum is unusual because of its enormous host range, causing damage to more to many species of trees or shurbs. More than 100 plant species have been identified as carriers (hosts) of the organism.

Simultaneously to its introduction into the United States, P. ramorum was discovered causing dieback of rhododendrons in Europe. P. ramorum was also spread into nurseries across Europe and is currently causing epidemics in Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) plantations in great Britain (see below video).


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About This Project

Phytophthora, the Greek term for "plant destroyer", is a group of plant killing microbes that threaten forests and agriculture around the world. More than 100 species have been discovered and between 100-600 species are estimated to remain unknown. Discovering new species improves research and regulations to protect our forest and agriculture systems. The native forests of South Africa are remarkably diverse and have not been surveyed for Phytophthora species. We want to survey the native forests for Phytophthora species with the help of the public!

Help us engage South African communities in science to discover new species! The purpose of this campaign is to raise support for a citizen science program that provides opportunities for South Africans to learn and participate in the scientific process! By backing this research you are supporting awesome research and helping hundreds of individuals participate!

Blast off!

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