ROHNERT PARK - How the study of the early stages of Sudden
Oak Death in Sonoma County can help researchers tackle the critical problem throughout California will be one of the topics of an important symposium on Monday, January 15.
Sonoma State University biology professor Nathan Rank and Fairfield Osborn Preserve Manager Julia Clothier are organizing a meeting between CSU faculty and students, members of the UC task force researching Sudden Oak Death Syndrome, local interested biologists and preserve managers.
The free all-day meeting is scheduled from 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel, 1 DoubleTree Drive, in Rohnert Park.
Discussions will focus on the biology of the disease, the ecology of oaks and oak woodlands, best use of biotechnical approaches and other methods for studying the pathogen, and avenues for collaborative research between CSU faculty and members of the Sudden Oak Death task force.
Northern Californians have witnessed a dramatic die-off of oak trees in coastal woodlands surrounding the Bay Area in recent years. Entire stands of oaks have succumbed in some areas. Tan oaks and coast live oaks have suffered the highest levels of mortality, but some black oaks have been affected, said Rank. There is no known cure for the disease.
Information about the meeting and on Sudden Oak Death at Fairfield Osborn Preserve can be found at the web site www.sonoma.edu/org/preserve or by calling (707) 795-5069.
FACT SHEET
Sudden Oak Death Symposium
Monday, January 15,
Double Tree Hotel, Rohnert Park
Participants will include
* Members of the task force studying Sudden Oak Death
* CSU faculty and students from a number of campuses
* Local experts in the ecology of oak woodlands
* Managers/directors of other preserves in Sonoma and Marin counties
Speakers will present information about the following topics:
* Results of preliminary surveys of Sudden Oak Death at Fairfield Osborn Preserve. Nathan Rank, Department of Biology, Sonoma State University
* Biology of the Sudden Oak Death pathogen. Dave Rizzo, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California Davis
* Current information on the genetics and control of the sudden oak death pathogen (Matteo Garbelotto, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, UC Berkeley)
* Biology of the pathogen infecting Port Orford Cedar in Northern California and Southern Oregon (Erik Jules, Department of Biology, Humboldt State University)
* Uses of geographic information systems to study vegetation patterns and changes in California habitats (Ross Meentemeyer, Department of Geography, Sonoma State University)
* Mapping and Monitoring SOD in California. (Maggi Kelly, Assistant
Cooperative Extension Specialist and Co-director, Center for Assessment and
Monitoring of Forest and Environmental Resources, UC Berkeley)
The meeting is sponsored by the California State University Program in Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) and by Sonoma State University.
Individuals interested in attending this meeting should contact Preserve Manager Julia Clothier (707) 795-5069, or fairfield.osborn@sonoma.edu.
