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<p>Excellent points and questions, Robin! Thank you for taking the time to submit your thoughts.</p><p><br /></p><p>Diana Kaye<br /></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p><pre>----- Original message -----
From: "MoonBranch Botanicals" <moonbranch@earthlink.net>
To: Patricia_DeAngelis@fws.gov, ForestRuss@aol.com
Cc: mpwg@lists.plantconservation.org
Date: Mon, 16 May 2011 15:37:12 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: [MPWG] Bipolaris in WV
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Hi
All, and thanks Russ and Patricia for the info and update.<br />
<br />
I have a question for the group especially in light of this example of where </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Microstegium has become such a pest
and there is much focus on and money spent preventing the spread/introduction
of and/or controlling "exotic invasive" species. Using that same
terminology, "exotic invasive" as something that occurs naturally
outside the habitat into which it is introduced and thus becomes a problem, I
am curious as to why we as a group in specific as well as our society in
general does not voice more "concern" (put mildly) over the
introduction, whether intentional or accidental, of "new" genetically
modified organisms into the environment? <br />
<br />
To introduce a species into a new environment or habitat is one thing, but to
take a previously unknown (with regards to it habits in an uncontrolled
environment) species and to allow or perhaps fail to prevent it's introduction
into the biosphere seems like a much more dangerous proposition in terms of
potential consequences. Furthermore, many agencies and bureaus within or under
the umbrella of the same (US in this case) government are avidly promoting the
control of these naturally occurring exotics while "sister" agencies
are not only allowing but sometimes promoting the use of and introduction
into the natural world these previously unknown genetically modified
organisms, GMOs if you will.<br />
<br />
I have read that scientific research of exotic invasives show a net negative
effect on the ecosystems within which they invade in terms of threatening
biodiversity, thus prompting efforts to prevent their spread or failing that,
initiate their control. I have also read of scientific research that says that
GMO's however, while completely unknown as to their interspecific interactions
outside of a controlled environment pose no threat. This of course begs another
question. Does scientific methodology vary from agency to agency as the
scenario created is otherwise completely void of any and all logic.<br />
<br />
Any thoughts, anyone?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">And, not
coincidentally this recent interview of Dr. Huber, a noted plant pathologist
from Purdue University may be of some interest to some of you: <span style="font-weight: bold;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzlwAAf9DRg</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Thanks and I'll be looking forward to replies,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Robin</span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></p>
<font size="2" face="Arial"></font><blockquote style="padding-left: 5px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 255);">-----Original Message-----
<br />From: Patricia_DeAngelis@fws.gov
<br />Sent: May 16, 2011 12:35 PM
<br />To: ForestRuss@aol.com
<br />Cc: mpwg@lists.plantconservation.org
<br />Subject: Re: [MPWG] Bipolaris in WV
<br /><br />
<br /><font size="2" face="sans-serif">So, I see that this fungus is native
to Appalachia. Has the research also looked into whether/how this fungus
is impacting native plants in the understory (such as black cohosh)? </font>
<br />
<br /><font size="2" face="sans-serif">I've just seen mention in a 2008 report
that anthracnose was diagnosed on black cohosh (and pitcher plants) that
year, which may be the black splotching I saw on BC in the woods a couple
years ago. See VaTech's Plant Disease Clinic 2008 Report for further
info on that (p. iv): </font><a href="http://www.ppws.vt.edu/%7Eclinic/reports/clinic_report_2008.pdf" target="_blank"><font size="2" face="sans-serif">http://www.ppws.vt.edu/~clinic/reports/clinic_report_2008.pdf</font></a>
<br />
<br /><font size="2" face="sans-serif">Thanks,</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="sans-serif">Patricia</font>
<br />
<br /><font size="2" face="sans-serif">Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.<br />
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority<br />
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group<br />
US Fish & Wildlife Service<br />
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110<br />
Arlington, VA 22203<br />
703-358-1708 x1753<br />
FAX: 703-358-2276<br />
<br />
Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants.<br />
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal><br />
</font>
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<td width="40%"><font size="1" face="sans-serif"><b>ForestRuss@aol.com</b>
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<br /><font size="1" face="sans-serif">Sent by: mpwg-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org</font>
<p><font size="1" face="sans-serif">05/16/2011 11:01 AM</font>
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<div align="right"><font size="1" face="sans-serif">To</font></div>
</td><td><font size="1" face="sans-serif">MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org</font>
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<div align="right"><font size="1" face="sans-serif">cc</font></div>
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<div align="right"><font size="1" face="sans-serif">Subject</font></div>
</td><td><font size="1" face="sans-serif">[MPWG] Bipolaris in WV</font></td></tr></tbody></table>
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<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">MPWG:</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">The Bipolaris fungus has again appeared in
central WV.</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">The first Microstegium plants started to
germinate in mid April and within two weeks seedlings were starting to
sport Bipolaris lesions. In many locations the lower blades of the
stiltgrass plants had already died and in a few areas the plants appeared
to die almost as soon as they germinated. The photo below was taken
in an area that is at the leading edge of a SG invasion....hopefully the
end of a SG invasion.</font>
<br />
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">In some areas nearly every individual stiltgrass
plant was showing signs of infection by Bipolaris within two weeks of gernination.
</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">By mid May the infection has spread throughout
this population. In many areas the stiltgrass is becoming non competitive
as the foliage dies back and the surrounding native vegetation overtakes
and dominates the ground cover.</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">The "persistent" thatch produced
by stiltgrass that lives through its' full life cycle appears to rot very
quickly in the face of a Bipolaris infection. There are some areas
where Bipolaris has been active for several years and neither thatch or
healthy Mv seedlings are present.</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">For people wishing to see Bipolaris in action,
we will be hosting a program at Crummies Creek Demonstration Forest in
cooperation with the West Virginia University Extension, the Woodland Owners
Association of WV and the National Woodland Owners Association on Saturday
June 25 and some of the session will involve visits to areas where Bipolaris
has been active for several years as well as areas subjected to annual
mechanical control for over ten years. </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">Special permits to move Bipolaris infected
plants to other parts of West Virginia are available through the WV Department
of Agriculture. Intentional movement of diseased plants from WV is
possible as long as a permit is obtained from APHIS. </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">However, Bipolaris, which appears to be native
to the central Appalachians showed up in Maryland and Virginia last year
and the wet spring of 2011 has not hampered the spread of the fungus so
it should be expected in more locations this summer.</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">Look for additional updates as the growing
season progresses.</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">Sincerely,</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">Russ Richardson, Certified Forester</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">PO Box 207</font>
<br /><font size="2" face="Arial">Arnoldsburg, WV 25234</font><tt><font size="2"><br />
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<br /></blockquote><pre>
Robin Alton Suggs
MoonBranch Botanicals
5294 Yellow Creek Road
Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771
USA
Telephone: 828.479.2788
Email: moonbranch@earthlink.net
Websites:
www.moonbranch.com & www.localharvest.org/store/M16074
Member:
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project; Farm Partner
Green Products Alliance
North Carolina Consortium on Natural Medicines
North Carolina Goodness Grows/NCDA&CS
Southwestern North Carolina RC&D Council
United Plant Savers
"Truth has to be repeated constantly, because Error also is being preached all the time, and not just by a few, but by the multitude.
In the Press and Encyclopaedias, in Schools and Universities, everywhere Error holds sway, feeling happy and comfortable in the knowledge of having Majority on its side."
-Goethe
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