Threats to the Property


Introduction
Wortroot's ecology is extremely diverse and likely to become more so as the forest is allowed to age.  However, there are several potential threats to the property's ecological health. 

I have listed a few threats to the physical health of the land in previous sections.  As mentioned previously, Wortroot's watershed could deteriorate due to neighbors' land use decisions.  In addition, much of Wortroot's land is very steep and prone to erosion if disturbed in any way (such as by logging or even by trail-building.)

Biological threats are more troublesome.  In the sections below, I have listed the most problematic - invasive species, insect infestations, and logging on neighboring property.  In addition, two more potential threats are mentioned briefly. 


Invasive species
The greatest threat to Wortroot comes from alien invasive species, species which evolved in another portion of the world but have been introduced to our area and are spreading through our natural ecosystems.  These alien species compete with our native species for habitat, often driving native species to extinction.  In our region, most of the alien invasive species are plants, though there are two invasive bird species and one invasive butterfly found on the property. 

Plants
13% of the plants found on the property are alien invasives, but most of these plants live in disturbed habitats such as yards, gardens, or fields.  These species compete with some of our native, early successional species for space, but they do limited damage since they cannot survive in forests.

Other invasives are more troublesome because they can live deep in the heart of our forests where the greatest native plant diversity occurs.  The most threatening invasives found at Wortroot are Japanese Stiltgrass, Japanese Honeysuckle, and Multiflora Rose, all of which can blanket large areas allowing no other plants to grow.  In addition, Garlic Mustard, Royal Paulownia, and Chinese Privet can be very invasive in our region but currently seem to be found in only a few spots on the property. 

There is no consensus of opinion in the scientific community about the best method of controlling invasives.  Some people recommend applying herbicides to invasives, but these chemicals are likely to do more damage to native plants than they prevent.  Manual removal, though the best option, is usually impossible when invasives cover large areas but might be undertaken if invasives begin to enter extremely high diversity areas on the property. 


Birds
The European Starling and the Brown-headed Cowbird are both found in open areas on the property.  European Starlings compete with native cavity-nesters for nest sites while Brown-headed Cowbirds are nest parasites which lay their eggs in other birds' nests.  As long as the forest is not fragmented, with open areas reaching into the heart of the forest, these invasives are unlikely to cause major problems at Wortroot. 


Insect Infestations
Although no major insect problems have been noted on the property, two invasive insect species - the hemlock woolly adelgid and the gypsy moth - could attack trees at Wortroot in the future.  Both of these species commonly kill their host trees and may lead to extinction of tree species and to changes in the forest composition.  The appearance of either of these species at Wortroot should be cause for concern. 

The hemlock woolly adelgid is an Asian species which is found throughout the Appalachians.  Populations of the hemlock woolly adelgid are devastating hemlock stands as nearby as in the Great Smoky Mountains.  However, the woolly adelgid is generally found on mountains where hemlock trees are more widespread, so they may not reach the few hemlock tree scattered in Wortroot's woods. 

The second species, the gypsy moth, is potentially much more dangerous.  The caterpillars of this species eat the leaves of many tree species, sometimes completely defoliating and killing the trees.  The gypsy moth's favorite foods are oaks and aspen.  If gypsy moths infested Wortroot, they could potentially kill many of the oaks on the property.  However, at present, gypsy moths are a more northern pest.  If we are not able to control the infestation before that time, various sources estimate that gypsy moths will reach our region between 2005 and 2025. 

One other insect species - the southern pine beetle - may be considered to be a pest to our forests.  Wortroot was infested by this species a few years ago, and it killed many of the pines which were planted by Ken in the 1970's.  However, pine beetles do not threaten the existence of pine species and should not be of concern to those interested in the health of the forest.  Unlike the previously mentioned species, the southern pine beetle is native to our region and is part of the natural cycle of pine forests.  These beetles move into pine forests, killing many pines and thus opening up the canopy so that the new pine seedlings can sprout on the forest floor.  In fact, the pine stands most susceptible to attack by pine beetles seem to be those which are unhealthy, overcrowded, even-aged, and which contain a single species - in other words, the southern pine beetle tends to attack pine plantations. 


Neighboring Properties
Neighboring properties contain mature and diverse forest which promote the health of Wortroot.  However, these areas are not protected and could be ravaged by logging at any time.  Many deep forest species need a larger expanse of forest than can be found at Wortroot alone and would be unable to survive without the neighboring forests. 

Wortroot, of course, has little say in the land use decisions of its neighbors.  However, if Wortroot led the way by placing a conservation easement on its property, neighbors might follow its lead.  Easement information can be found through:

Bill Wasserman
Virginia Outdoors Foundation
Rte 3, Box 87
Honaker, VA 24260
(276) 889 - 1299
wwasserman@vofonline.org


Alternatively, if neighbors want to log their land, Wortroot might be able to point them toward more sustainable forestry options.   Appalachian Sustainable Development provides landowners with a management plan and buys trees at 20% above market value to encourage sustainable forestry. 

Appalachian Sustainable Development
P.O. Box 791
289A West Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24212
(276) 623 - 1121
asd@eva.org



Other Potential Threats
Various diseases have changed the composition of the forest in the past.  In particular, American Chestnut and American Elm have been attacked by diseases which have nearly driven these species to extinction.  However, there are no diseases which are currently changing the composition of Wortroot's forest.

Deer overpopulation is becoming a problem in the eastern United States.  In some areas, White-tailed Deer have become so populous that they eat nearly all of the herbs on the forest floor and prevent the regeneration of oaks and other species.  Wortroot does not seem to have a deer overpopulation problem at present, although the deer population does seem to be rising.  If deer browse becomes a problem in the forest, hunters should be encouraged to kill does on the property. 




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Last updated 9/04.