Using GIS for Oak Wilt Suppression in Central Texas

B. Barber 1 and J. D. Kushla 2

Texas Forest Service (1)
North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, Verona, MS 38879 (2)

The fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum causes a vascular disease in oaks, chestnuts, chinkapins, and tan oaks. This fungus has had a devastating effect on the oaks of the Central Texas Hill County. Red oaks are most susceptible, but white oaks are not immune from the pathogen. Insects or root graft, infecting the xylem transport tissues, spreads the fungus. The infection leads to host responses that disrupt the vascular flow of water within the plant. The Texas Forest Service has used digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQQs) and ArcView geographic information system (GIS) to map the spread of the disease and control efforts in Central Texas. A central database was developed called TOIS, the Texas Information System, to standardize symbology for mapping purposes. The DOQQs were used to accurately map infection centers of the disease. Then, trenching to suppress the spread of the fungus is done and also mapped into the GIS. The database, TOIS, can be used to track the spread of the disease across the county and region, and evaluate the effectiveness of suppression efforts to contain the pathogen.

Keywords: oak wilt, digital orthophoto quadrangle, GIS

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