PROPOSAL Ash Dieback Consultation Forestry Program 2014-2020 - Department of ...

Ash Dieback Consultation – Forestry Program 2014-2020

 Ash Dieback Consultation Forestry Program 2014-2020

                                       PROPOSAL
                              by Conservation Dogs Ireland

Table of Contents
1. Problem Statement
2. Proposed Solution
      2.1 Background - why this is the most promising way forward
      2.2 Methodology
      2.3 Future scope in Related Areas of Risk

1. Problem Statement
Ash Dieback is a serious disease of ash trees caused by the fungal
pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (previously known as Chalara fraxinea). It
has spread rapidly across much of Europe. It was first noted in the Republic of
Ireland in October 2012 on plants imported from continental Europe. The
disease can affect ash trees of any age and in any setting. The disease is often
fatal, particularly among younger trees.
The cool and wet maritime climate of the island of Ireland, particularly in
coastal regions, provides ideal conditions for H. fraxineus to spread among
plants causing widespread biodiversity and economical losses.

2. Proposed Solution

Early detection of Ash Dieback fungal spores by conservation detection
dogs

2.1 Background - why this is the most promising way forward
In other parts of the world, conservation detection dogs have been trained to
detect weeds early before they break the surface by recognizing any part of
the plant, including seeds and spores.
Globally, New Zealand is considered the leader in pest eradication programs.
The New Zealand Government relies on dogs to locate invasive and protected
species and funds dogs as part of their Department of Conservation. We can
provide you with contacts and research.
Please visit www.doc.govt.nz/conservationdogs for a brief overview.

Conservation Dogs Ireland – dogs saving wildlife
www.conservationdogsireland.ie

Ash Dieback Consultation – Forestry Program 2014-2020

Conservation detection dogs have also been successfully used in Austria,
France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland to address invasive tree beetles – an
emerging threat to Irish trees and biodiversity. Method development originates
from the Austria Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural
Hazards and Landscape who employ dog-handler teams throughout continental
Europe to address the Asian and Citrus Longhorn Beetle.

New in Europe, based on successful government funded schemes in Canada
and New Zealand, and a pilot adapted from Austria and Switzerland,
Conservation Dogs Ireland specialize in early detection of invasive species, with
particular interest in pathogen H. Fraxineus.
Early detection is defined in this context as detection of fungal spores before
any traditional visible sign of infection in the tree.

2.2 Methodology
Detection of Ash Dieback by conservation detection dogs at the early spore
stage will enable existing Sanitation Action Plans to be put in place more
efficiently with targeted accuracy, save trees from unnecessary felling, clear
chips/timber for sale and ensure tools and vehicles are clear of H. fraxineus.

Early detection can also ensure early intervention on previously sanitized and
replanted sites. This approach will play a key role in slowing down the spread
of H. fraxineus, minimize impact on biodiversity and protect jobs and economic
return from timber production.

Similar to detection dogs locating drugs, tobacco, explosives or prohibited and
poached items at customs and airports, conservation detection dogs have been
trained to detect invasive species. The unrivalled benefit dogs bring is that they
only need scent rather than visuals to accurately and quickly find the target.
They can search for different target scents simultaneously without reducing
efficiency.

Conservation detection dogs' ability to do this translates into getting results on
average 40 times faster and far more accurately than through traditional
surveys that rely on visuals and require extensive man power. This efficiency
has a significant knock-on effect in terms of cost. On average and for easy
comparison, what 1 dog detects in 1 hour, would take 5 men 8 hours, with no
comparison regarding thoroughness and accuracy, let alone cost.

How this works in reality:
Relying on visual inspection the way it has been done to date comes too late to
manage Ash Dieback. Access to carry out thorough inspections is not always
possible, and a considerable number of infected trees and sites is overlooked.
Dogs are trained to recognize any stage of the Ash Dieback life cycle, starting

Conservation Dogs Ireland – dogs saving wildlife
www.conservationdogsireland.ie

Ash Dieback Consultation – Forestry Program 2014-2020

with the earliest fungal spore stage which is invisible to humans. They can
detect spores under ground, and work in all seasons, except under thick ice
where scent would remain trapped underneath. They can be trained to
discriminate between H. fraxineus and other fungi or similar tree disease
symptoms.
Conservation detection dogs smell an invasive infestation early where visual
inspection is impossible.

H. fraxineus does not just affect ash trees, and signs in plants that carry and
spread the fungus can be difficult to recognize by visuals.
To decrease the spread, check-points in forestry, new plantations, nursery
trade, sea freight, timber and wood packing material such as pallets and
containers and infected firewood can be put in place for dogs to search.

Dogs will scent-check, detect and alert on any presence of H. fraxineus, after
which the appropriate Sanitization Action Plan is carried out. Upon completion
of sanitization, at regular intervals, conservation detection dogs can check for
any early re-infestation and appropriate action can be taken quickly. Dogs can
be part of the Surveillance Plan to ascertain the status with unmatched
reliability.

In the instance of Ash Dieback, detection sites would commonly be at or in the
vicinity of high risk sites like forested areas, nurseries, road side, public and
private gardens, farmland, untreated timber wood, chips, leaf litter, compost
sites, living plants/trees at import locations, storage places etc. Dogs can be
part of Secure and Hygienic protocols with instant alerting on infected vehicles
or tools and giving clearance.

Conservation Dogs Ireland can be engaged by anyone who manages or
owns ash trees, including local authorities, farmers, road and railway
authorities, public and private woodland owners, forestry and ground care
workers.

We train dogs and handlers and can carry out site work throughout Ireland and
the UK. For customers needing detection dogs on an ongoing basis, dogs can
be trained and sold. In such a scenario, training for handlers and refresher
training for dogs can be provided.

Our proposal to address fungal disease in trees is receiving considerable
interest from other European countries with higher percentages of forestation.
With AshDieback ravaging many countries, Ireland could be at the forefront of
fighting Ash Dieback and other disease that spreads in a similar way. We
believe it could and should be a European scale effort and would be privileged
and interested to assist in this.

Conservation Dogs Ireland – dogs saving wildlife
www.conservationdogsireland.ie

Ash Dieback Consultation – Forestry Program 2014-2020

Please read up on us at www.conservationdogsireland.ie and do not hesitate to
enquire futher.

2.3 Future Scope in Related Areas of Risk
We like thinking ahead and understand that some diseased ash trees are
removed and replaced with other species, which will be important to monitor
closely, as saplings are vulnerable. Conservation detection dogs are able to do
so very speedily with instant results.

Progress appears to have been made with breeding H. Fraxineus resistant ash
trees. Unfortunately, recent research shows that the modification making these
trees resistant, at the same time makes them prone to invasive beetles.
Invasive beetles are already a signifcant problem in other parts of Europe,
including the UK, which has served as an early warning system to Ireland with
other invasive species.
Conservation detection dogs have been successfully used at locating and
managing invasive beetles in continental Europe, and we have established
good relations with these organizations.
Detecting fungi or other tree pests is carried out largely according to similar
dog training principles, where dogs are trained to detect the invasive beetle
early at the larva stage, and throughout its life cycle.
If and when needed, our suggested approach in curtailing H. fraxineus can be
tailored to detecting invasive beetles in Ireland.

Phytophthora ramorum is a fungus-like pathogen that poses a significant
threat to forests in Ireland. It is often referred to as Sudden Oak Death. Of
most concern is the recent host range expansion from low value Rhododendron
to Japanese larch in commercial forests in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Phytophthora is a group of fungus-like organisms that contains over 140
species. Many Phytophthora species are important plant pathogens, for
example the cause of potato blight.

Root and Butt Rot Fungus, or Heterobasidion annosum, is the principal forest
disease which occurs in Ireland and is commonly known as ‘Fomes’. Most
conifer species are susceptible to this decay fungus which colonizes recently
cut stumps. The marketable volume of timber can be greatly reduced and
infected trees are liable to dangerous wind throw.

                 With heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your interest
                     Best of luck with the Ash Dieback Consultation

Conservation Dogs Ireland – dogs saving wildlife
www.conservationdogsireland.ie

Ash Dieback Consultation – Forestry Program 2014-2020

Conservation Dogs Ireland – dogs saving wildlife
www.conservationdogsireland.ie