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Alabama “EcoDogs” Sniff Out Tree Root Fungus to Combat Southern Yellow Pine Decline

Picture of Suz-Anne Kinney Suz-Anne Kinney : August 6, 2011

Forest Management

Alabama “EcoDogs” Sniff Out Tree Root Fungus to Combat Southern Yellow Pine Decline

In an effort to combat southern yellow pine tree decline that is affecting more than 1 million acres across the U.S. South, Auburn University researchers are training EcoDogs, provided by the school's College of Veterinary Medicine, to sniff out southern yellow pine tree fungus at the roots.

Two fungi currently infecting trees, Leptographium and Heterobasidion, are caused by pine beetles as they burrow to attack tree roots. The dogs have been trained in small test plots to sit down when they have determined the fungus is present.

Currently, two methods for detecting these fungi are used. One requires time-consuming digging at the trees' roots. This process is not ideal, however, as it not only disturbs the beetles, but it can also spread the fungus and cause the tree to release additional stress chemicals that in turn drive more beetles to the tree and create more damage. The other process of flying over trees is effective for identifying trees that have damage from the ground up. This method is not effective for identifying damage underground, however. Using EcoDogs has neither of these drawbacks, as the process limits additional damage and minimizes the time it takes to detect the fungus.

The next step beyond the pilot project would be to test the dogs in pine plantations. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEPBelUjbeo]

EcoDogs is a collaborative partnership among Auburn University's programs and Colleges: the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, the Canine and Detection Research Institute, the Animal Health and Performance Program, the Veterinary Sports Medicine Program, and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Their purpose is to train detection dogs to find plant and animal species, or their sign, in the field for the benefit of ecological research, management, or conservation. The dogs and the program were recently featured on Local Channel 3 WRBL News. You can view their video report here.