Ecological niche modeling and potential dispersal of emerald ash borer in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a notorious invasive pest that can devastate ash trees, Fraxinus spp. L., and embedded communities. While emerald ash borer is established in eastern North America, it was recently detected in Forest Grove, Oregon and in Vancouver, British Columbia, raising concerns that it may spread across the Pacific Northwest riparian ecosystems dominated by ash. A quarantine zone has been established in Oregon, but future mitigation depends on assessing the spread to new regions. Here, we used habitat suitability models and dispersal simulations to predict the potential spread of emerald ash borer. Specifically, we compared climate spaces occupied by Oregon and British Columbia populations with other native and introduced populations, and then used habitat suitability models and dispersal simulations to predict future distributions. We show that the newly established Oregon and British Columbia populations currently occupy relatively narrow climate niche, and many suitable niche spaces are unoccupied in the Pacific Northwest, indicating potential for range expansion. We also show there are vast areas of suitable habitat that extend south of the present quarantine zone throughout inland western Oregon and north into Washington. In Vancouver, the most suitable habitat was found along the Fraser River, where emerald ash borer could disperse inland. Dispersal models suggest that, without intervention, emerald ash borer could disperse into Washington within 2 yr, throughout western Oregon in 15 yr, and reach California in 20 yr. Our work supports intensive quarantine efforts for emerald ash borer and identifies areas where monitoring and management efforts should focus.

Keywords: dispersal simulation; habitat suitability; invasive species; species distribution model.