Objective
This project will determine the risks posed by Phytophthora ramorum (cause of sudden oak death) to European trees, woodland ecosystems and other environmentally important habitats (e.g. heathlands). The pathogen is a newly described species which is a recent alien introduction to both the USA and Europe; it is currently the most significant quarantine pathogen for Europe. In the USA (California/Oregon), P. ramorum is causing extensive oak mortality (Lithocarpus/Quercus) but also affects a wider range of other woodland species; impacts on these woodland ecosystems are severe. In Europe, the pathogen has not yet been found on trees but is restricted to certain ornamental genera in nurseries or a few managed gardens. Emergency EC measures were put in place in 2002 to prevent the spread of European isolates and the introduction of non-European isolates. Eradication and containment measures are being applied. European and US populations have been shown to differ genetically. The Al mating type occurs in Europe whilst the A2 mating type occurs in the US. Both mating types are required for sexual recombination; potential progeny may show new adaptive behaviours and present new risks. Research will be done to develop a more accurate European pest risk analysis (PRA) for US and EU isolates of P. ramorum, including: assessment of potential establishment; environmental and socio-economic impacts; and the development of harmonised risk management strategies and contingency plans. The current host and geographical range of the pathogen will be documented, including confirmation of each mating type's distribution. The potential for sexual recombination will be studied by investigating the functionality of the mating system. Host range (tree and non-tree) will also be investigated, as will aspects of the pathogen's epidemiology related to establishment risk. The new EU PRA will allow a review of phytosanitary policy in relation to risk'.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureagronomyplant protection
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabases
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthepidemiology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
- social sciencessociologygovernancecrisis management
You need to log in or register to use this function
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
FP6-2002-SSP-1
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Data not availableCoordinator
FARNHAM
United Kingdom