Stream monitoring for early detection of invasive Phytophthora species in Western Washington
The Phytophthora stream monitoring program at WSU Puyallup
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NEWCommunity-based stream monitoring for invasive Phytophthoras in western Washington. Marianne Elliott, Gary Chastagner, Katie Coats, Annie DeBauw, and Kathy Riley. Poster, March 2011. P. ramorum detection and monitoring in western Washington waterways, 2010. Daniel Omdal and Amy Ramsey-Kroll, WA DNR. Poster, Dec. 2010. |
Locations of stream monitoring sites in western WA
2010 Stream monitoring pilot study
What is Phytophthora?
- A “water mold” closely related to brown algae and diatoms
- Pathogen spreads via the movement of infected plants, contaminated soil, aerial and water-borne spores
- Causes economically important plant diseases such as potato blight and sudden oak death
- Phytophthora diseases on plants are identified by symptoms, microscopic examination and molecular testing
- Three recently identified exotic invasive species pose a potential threat to Washington’s horticulture and forest industries
- Read more about Phytophthora and other Oomycetes here.
Invasive Phytophthora species
Some Phytophthoras, like P. ramorum, are invasive species that will trigger a series of quarantines having a significant economic impact on the horticulture and forest products industry if they were to escape into the landscape. One way to stop the damage an invasive species such as Phytophthora may inflict on an ecosystem is to control or eliminate the species when its populations are still small. Students and other volunteers can help scientists by conducting early detection surveys. Unlike many well-known invasive species, Phytophthoras are microscopic and must be detected by indirect methods, such as baiting with leaves of susceptible plant hosts. Stream monitoring programs have been shown to be an effective approach to detect the spread of P. ramorum and focus eradication efforts to high risk areas, thus reducing the threat this pathogen poses to our landscape and forest ecosystems.
How to get involved 
We are looking for volunteer groups, students, or other people who are interested in helping monitor streams in Western Washington for P. ramorum and other Phytophthora species. We need people who can access selected streams and place bait bags or collect water samples at regular intervals and can return these samples to the lab. If you are interested in participating, let us know.
You can see a similar program in Australia here:
Fishing for Phytophthora
For more information or if you wish to be added to the mailing list, contact Marianne Elliott (melliott2@wsu.edu).
Our Cooperators:
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