Projecting emerald ash borer spread and impacts on Oregon ash across the Pacific Northwest

Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis; EAB) is an invasive forest pest that was recently introduced to Oregon in 2022. EAB has decimated ash tree populations in the midwestern and eastern United States since its introduction in 2002 and is now expected to do the same to the West Coast’s sole native ash species, Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia). This project has two main objectives: 1) project EAB spread across western Washington and Oregon over the next 75 years to see how this might affect the spatial pattern of Oregon ash mortality and 2) determine which potential ash replacement species might best retain the ecosystem services and functions that Oregon ash currently provide. 

Lauren Walker (M.S. student), Dr. Melissa Lucash, Dr. James Lamping 

Funded by UO, 2025-present