The Social-Ecological Consequences of Emerald Ash Borer in Georgia

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive wood-boring beetle that is causing widespread mortality of North American ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) I sought to examine the consequences of EAB’s invasion through social and ecological research in Georgia. Through an intercept survey with park users, I found that risk perceptions influenced support for both biological and chemical control as management tactics. Recreation preferences also influenced support for both methods. I also found that EAB induced dieback was greatest in trees in larger DBH classes across sites in Northeast Georgia. The change in mortality and dieback from 2022 to 2023 was higher in sites with greater ash basal area, dominance, and importance value, and lower site diversity. Results from these studies may help inform EAB management and monitoring efforts in the Southeast.