A cultural keystone species on the brink of demise: Assessing radial growth of black ash and occurrence of basket quality trees before impacts associated with the emerald ash borer invasion
River Mathieu
- Abstract
- Emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis) threatens to functionally extirpate black ash (Fraxinus nigra), which is an important cultural keystone species for many indigenous American Indian and First Nation tribes with black ash basketry traditions in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Understanding the factors affecting growth of black ash and the occurrence of basket-quality black ash trees is critical for informing future management of the species. We measured ring widths of 650 increment cores collected from 325 randomly selected trees at 13 sites not yet impacted by EAB located across the St. Lawrence River watershed in northern New York. Sample trees averaged 26.8 ± 5.8 cm in diameter and were assessed for basket quality using qualitative measures commonly used by tribal partners, including bark type, the presence of branches, wounds or bends on the stem, and the presence of conifers. Basket-quality assessments were additionally evaluated by a local, indigenous black ash harvester and basket maker. Chronologies of black ash radial growth, ranging in length from 87 to 147 years, were examined. Dendroecology of black ash in relation to the presence of basket-quality trees provides key information for conservation efforts, which is necessary for the preservation of black ash basketry and ceremonial traditions associated with this cultural keystone species.
- Presented by
- River Mathieu
- Institution
- US Forest Service, State & Private Forestry - Eastern Region, Forest Health Protection and St. Lawrence University, Depts. of Environmental Studies and Biology
