ABSTRACTAN ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK MAPPING SYSTEM FOR THE USE OF MANAGING LOBLOLLY PINE DECLINE SITES WITHIN RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science In The Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology By Roger Dale Menard Bachelor of General Studies, Northwestern State University, 1995 August 2007iiACKNOWLEDGMENTS I gratefully acknowledge the invaluable input provided by my first advisor, Dr. John P. Jones, retired. He gave me the chance and initial encouragement to begin my program. I am indebted to Dr. Gordon Holcomb, for taking Dr. Jones’ place, for his guidance, encouragement, and sincere support in the final days. I would like to thank Dr. Marc A. Cohn for the wise advice on matters of science and integrity. I also would like to thank him for the many reality checks that made me aware of potential shortcomings in my research efforts. To Dr. Lori G. Eckhardt, a very special thanks, for she guided me as a major professor, mentored my work with excellence, provided a sounding board for my thoughts and ideas, and most of all focused my efforts where I needed them. Also, thanks for all the assistance provided to me on all the insect and root collection trips and having someone to talk with on the long trips to and from Georgia. Again I would like to thank all the members of my advisory committee, Drs. Gordon Holcomb, Lori G. Eckhardt, and Marc A. Cohn for the professional performance of their committee responsibilities. I would also like to thank other faculty members in the Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology who helped me in many aspects during my graduate program. Thank you to all the lab workers, Erica Gray, Keisha Collins, Tomas Rush, Casey Guidry, and Josh Danzey, for your discussion and assistance, for the many days of field work collecting samples, and the long hours in the lab processing the samples. Thanks to my fellow graduate students for their input. I would also like to thank all my co-workers at the US Forest Service, Forest Health Protection in Pineville, LA who made my participation in this project possible through theiriiiwork efficiency. A special thanks to Nolan Hess who was instrumental in my participation in this research project and who gave me the opportunity to work on my Masters’ degree. Thanks to my supervisor, Dr. Forrest Oliveria for his facilitation of the necessary permissions needed for me to attend grad school and his supportive interest in the project. I would also like to thank him for his assistance provided in collecting samples. A special thanks to co-technician, Wood Johnson who had to spend many a hot day in the forests to collect samples. I couldn’t have managed without your enthusiastic and back-breaking help. I would like to thank the Fort Benning Land Management Branch for their funding for the research, and for their cooperation in allowing this research to be carried out on lands in their custody. Finally, my sincerest thanks go to my wife, Pearl, for the unconditional support and continual encouragement throughout and for understanding my needs. Thanks for all the loving sacrifice.ivTABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..............................................................................................................iii LIST OF TABLES...........................................................................................................................v LIST OF FIGURES…………........................................................................................................vi ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................viii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW…...…………………………1 1.1 Forest Decline…………………………………………………………………………1 1.2 Loblolly Pine Decline…………………………………………………………………2 1.3 Mapping Decline………………………………………………………………………3 1.4 Study Area…………………………………………………………………………….4 CHAPTER 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS…………………………………………………6 2.1 Map Creation………………………………………………………………………….6 2.2 Plot Descriptions………………………………………………………………………8 2.3 Study Design…………………………………………………………………………..9 2.4 Root Sampling……………………………………………………………………….11 2.5 Soil Sampling………………………………………………………………………...14 2.6 Insect Activity………………………………………………………………………..14 2.7 Plot Characterization…………………………………………………………………16 2.7.1 Plot Measurements…………………………………………………………16 2.7.2 Crown Ratings…..........................................................................................16 2.7.3 Resin Sampling (Tree Vigor)………………………………………………17 2.7.4 Insect Damage...……………………………………………………………17 CHAPTER 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION………………………………………………....19 3.1 Results………………………………………………………………………………..19 3.1.1 LPDRM Assessment……………………………………………………….19 3.1.1.1 Topology…………………………………………………………19 3.1.1.2 Growth Variables………………………………………………...19 3.1.1.3 Crown Condition…………………………………………………20 3.1.1.4 Resin Analysis…………………………………………………...23 3.1.1.5 Root Condition/Isolations and Soil Isolations…….……………..23 3.1.1.6 Insect Variables…………………………………………………..24 3.2