Wooded Areas Research Articles

Simulating Imaging Spectroscopy in Tropical Forest with 3D Radiative Transfer Modeling

Optical remote sensing can contribute to biodiversity monitoring and species composition mapping in tropical forests. Inferring ecological information from canopy reflectance is complex and data availability suitable to such a task is limiting, which makes simulation tools particularly important in this context. We explored the capability of the 3D radiative transfer model DART (Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer) to simulate top of canopy reflectance acquired with airborne imaging spectroscopy in a complex tropical forest, and to reproduce spectral dissimilarity within and among species, as well as species discrimination based on spectral information. We focused on two factors contributing to these canopy reflectance properties: the horizontal variability in leaf optical properties (LOP) and the fraction of non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPVf). The variability in LOP was induced by changes in leaf pigment content, and defined for each pixel based on a hybrid approach combining radiative transfer modeling and spectral indices. The influence of LOP variability on simulated reflectance was tested by considering variability at species, individual tree crown and pixel level. We incorporated NPVf into simulations following two approaches, either considering NPVf as a part of wood area density in each voxel or using leaf brown pigments. We validated the different scenarios by comparing simulated scenes with experimental airborne imaging spectroscopy using statistical metrics, spectral dissimilarity (within crowns, within species, and among species dissimilarity) and supervised classification for species discrimination. The simulation of NPVf based on leaf brown pigments resulted in the closest match between measured and simulated canopy reflectance. The definition of LOP at pixel level resulted in conservation of the spectral dissimilarity and expected performances for species discrimination. Therefore, we recommend future research on forest biodiversity using physical modeling of remote-sensing data to account for LOP variability within crowns and species. Our simulation framework could contribute to better understanding of performances of species discrimination and the relationship between spectral variations and taxonomic and functional dimensions of biodiversity. This work contributes to the improved integration of physical modeling tools for applications, focusing on remotely sensed monitoring of biodiversity in complex ecosystems, for current sensors, and for the preparation of future multispectral and hyperspectral satellite missions.

Case Report: Soldier With Latrodectism After Black Widow Spider Bite During a Field Training Exercise.

Latrodectism from black widow spider (BWS) bites is rare in the United States. Latrodectism is a severe systemic manifestation of the envenomation that includes severe abdominal pain mimicking acute surgical abdomen and, in rare cases, could lead to acute myocarditis and rhabdomyolysis. The BWS typically inhabits dark, low-lying areas such as woodpiles, tree stumps, outdoor storage, outdoor furniture, outdoor toilets, and rock piles and is most active during warm weather months. Military service members often participate in field training exercises during warm weather in wooded areas littered with woodpiles and tree stumps; therefore, they are at an increased risk for bites by arachnids. We report the case of a 26-year-old active duty male soldier evacuated from field training with latrodectism and possible envenomation-induced myocarditis after a suspected BWS bite.

Soil respiration and its relationship with litter contributions in a wooded mountain soil

ABSTRACT
 Soil respiration in forest ecosystems is considered to be the second most important carbon flux between the biosphere and the atmosphere. In tropical forests, the factor that most influences soil respiration is the temporal variation in temperature, and in water content or precipitation; the soil temperature is relatively constant. The behavior of the RS was established, and this ecological process was estimated and modeled for a tropical mountain forest in the State of Hidalgo, Mexico. It has contributed to strengthening the theoretical framework for the restoration and ecological conservation of this forest, considered a National Park, this has been the main objective of this work. Its relationship with the climatic parameters and factors that regulate CO2-soil-atmosphere fluxes in an annual cycle was analyzed. The daytime respiratory rate was slightly higher (average of 3.54 tmCO2/ha) than the nocturnal one (average of 3.35 tmCO2/ha), depending on the ambient temperature and the climatic conditions. The humic acid found in the soils was classified for the mountainous wooded area of the Chico National Park. Andosols are humic soils and humic acids were classified predominantly as type A. According to the results obtained, with only one year of evaluation, it should be noted that it is necessary to carry out a greater number of evaluations, at least during a period of 5 to 10 years and for different seasonal periods, in order to strengthen the responses found for this ecosystem.

Karoo lava-fed deltas and a petrified forest from the Lower Jurassic of southern Gondwana

Palaeoenvironmental changes during continental flood basalt volcanism in large igneous provinces are increasingly linked to global environmental perturbations. Whilst the geology of the Karoo-Ferrar continental flood basalts, including their eruption history, mode of emplacement, timing, geochemistry, palaeomagnetism, has been described, and the causal link of this massive volcanic event to global climate trends and the mass extinction as well as oceanic anoxia near the Pliensbachian–Toarcian boundary is established, little is known about the dynamics of the southern African palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate at that time. This study is focused on a field investigation of the uppermost Karoo Supergroup, which accumulated in the changing Early Jurassic palaeo-landscapes of southern Gondwana. Using well-exposed successions in southwestern Lesotho, we document evidence of a humid phase at the onset of Karoo volcanism in the central part of the main Karoo Basin. The studied interval encompasses the conformable contact of the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian Clarens Formation and the Pliensbachian–Toarcian flood basalts in the lower Drakensberg Group. Facies changes in the succession provide evidence for shifts in the ancient landscape and in the associated subaerial and subaqueous conditions. Specifically, the facies suggest a climatic change from a dry desert setting with large, down-wind migrating sand dunes to a wetter desert ecosystem in the Late Pliensbachian. The latter sustained a fairly diverse biota of land-dwelling organisms, which included herbaceous and wooded areas where the diametre of gymnospermous tree trunks was in excess of 50 cm. The earliest flood basalts comprise massive basalt lava flows and up to ~10-m-thick foreset-bedded pillow lavas. These show that during the initial outpouring of the Karoo continental flood basalts, the land surface was locally covered by streams and lakes into which the earliest basaltic lavas flowed forming lava-fed deltas in the Late Pliensbachian.

Using Deer Stable Isotope Data to Test a Niche Construction Hypothesis for an Increase in Prehistoric Human Maize Consumption in the Eastern Woodlands of the United States

ABSTRACT Pollen records and macrobotanical remains indicate maize was grown minimally during the Middle Woodland (200 BCE - CE 500) in eastern North America. However, previous isotopic studies have found limited evidence of its consumption by people in archaeobotanical assemblages. Hypothetically, if deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) were feeding on maize (Zea mays L.) in gardens prior to its adoption as a human dietary staple, this may indicate a niche construction process which would later lead to shifts in hunting strategies. This construction of garden spaces or niches has implications for decreased mobility and greater investment in garden crops. To evaluate this hypothesis in the Ohio River Valley, we measured stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotope compositions of bulk collagen in deer bones (N = 25) from archaeological sites spanning the Middle Woodland (200 BCE - CE 400/500) to Late Precontact (CE 1400-1630). Our hypothesis was not confirmed: little (one deer of 19) evidence for maize consumption occurred in the analyzed deer remains. Five deer of 19 did indicate the possibility of feeding in deeply wooded areas, reflecting canopy effect. Dog (Canis lupus familiaris L.) bone samples (N = 2) were also analyzed for these isotopes and one indicates some consumption of maize.

A CASE REPORT: CLINICAL INSIGHT ON RETAINED WOODEN FOREIGN BODY IN THE FOOT

The foot is the second commonest location for foreign bodies. The foremost common foreign bodies are needles, metal, glass, wood, and plastic. Though bimetal foreign bodies area unit promptly seen on plain film radiographs, radiolucent bodies like wood area unit pictured poorly, if at all.Though plain radiography is thought to be ineffective for demonstrating radiolucent foreign bodies, it's usually the primary imaging modality used. Herein, we present the case of a 42 years old man who had presented to the clinic with history of pain and swelling in his right foot. On examination, his vitals, heart sounds and breathing during auscultation were found to be normal. This particular individual had no other significant chronic illness. A brief history obtained from the patient revealed that penetrated wooden foreign bodies in his hind sole region. In view of his present complaints, he was successfully managed with antibiotics and pain relieving medications. Our patient comes under the small percentage of cases that had a missed diagnosis as the expulsion of the wooden particles occurred 3 months after the initial visit to the clinic. This case is being presented to enlighten understanding on clinical picture of retained wooden foreign bodies in foot.

Estimating forest floor carbon stocks in woodland formations in Spain

The forest floor C stock needs to be accurately estimated in order to quantify its contribution to nutrient cycling and other ecological processes as well as for reporting purposes under international agreements. Hence, a modelling approach was used which involved testing three different types of models (GLM, GAM and random forest) to determine which one provided the best estimates of forest floor C stocks. The dataset employed contained over 1650 observations from different available sources embracing different climatic, topographic and biotic variables to be tested in the model. The approach that provided the best estimation of forest floor C stock was the random forest method, with forest type, latitude, altitude, canopy cover, mean summer temperature, annual accumulated temperature, summer precipitation, water deficit and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) as covariates. To obtain a robust forecast, several iterations of the model were performed to estimate forest floor C stocks from the mean of the predictions. The model estimated a forest floor C stock of 0.148 ± 0.081 Pg, equivalent to a biomass of 0.381 ± 0.214 Pg, for a wooded area of almost 184,000 km2 in peninsular Spain and the Balearic Islands. The predictions were also presented in the form of a map showing the spatial distribution of the forest floor C stock. The results revealed a mean forest floor C stock of 8 Mg C ha−1 for Spanish forests and identified differences between coniferous (10.1 Mg C ha−1) and hardwood forests (6.3 Mg C ha−1).

The forest transition as a window of opportunity to change the governance of common-pool resources: The case of Mexico’s Mixteca Alta

• Our study area in Mexico’s Mixteca Alta region has experienced a forest transition. • This forest transition is the result of depopulation and a decline in the use of farmland, grazing lands, and local natural resources. • The forest transition and its causes created a window of opportunity to change the governance of common-pool resources in our study area. • These governance changes include rules limiting grazing and logging, which contribute to the forest transition in a positive feedback loop. • Reforestations supported by government institutions and non-governmental organizations also contributed to the forest transition. The notion of windows of opportunity, developed in the literature on adaptive governance, refers to the existence of circumstances or events that trigger and promote governance changes to manage ecosystems and common-pool resources more sustainably. Research has largely focused on windows of opportunity such as natural disasters and environmental crises. This paper contends that windows of opportunity should be viewed with a wider lens and include other phenomena that do not necessarily involve a growing pressure or negative impact on ecosystems and common-pool resources. Based on information gathered from interviews and the analysis of official statistics and land use/cover maps, we first show that our study area in Mexico’s Mixteca Alta region, in the state of Oaxaca, has experienced a recovery of woody vegetation—a forest transition—through secondary succession because of depopulation, deagrarianization, agricultural intensification, the decline or change in livestock, and the decline in the use of farmland, grazing lands, and local natural resources. Building on these results, we examine how these demographic, socioeconomic, and land-use changes, along with the emergence of new national institutions and local non-governmental organizations focused on the environment, provided a window of opportunity for communities to change the governance of their forests and grazing lands through the establishment of rules to limit grazing and logging, while also carrying out reforestations. These processes contributed to the further expansion of wooded areas in a positive feedback loop.

Assessing bias in diameter at breast height estimated from tree rings and its effects on basal area increment and biomass

Above-ground forest productivity can be reliably estimated from tree-ring width measurements. In doing so, annual growth is linked to the tree’s basal area increment (BAI), which is the change in cross-sectional area associated with each annual ring. When BAI is estimated from ring-width series, a value for the diameter of the tree is required. This diameter is ideally measured in the field, but can also be estimated as the sum of the annual ring widths. Tree biomass can also be estimated directly from the diameter estimates derived from tree-rings. Summing the ring widths, however, typically underestimates the tree’s true diameter. To evaluate this potential bias in diameter, we compared field-measured diameter and diameter estimated from the sum of the ring widths using tree-ring chronologies for seven common species in the eastern United States. We then evaluated the impacts of using the biased diameter estimates on derived BAI and biomass values. To simulate field-sampling error (i.e., failure to reach the pith when obtaining a core sample), we re-calculated BAI and biomass after removing a portion of the innermost rings from each tree. Comparisons of these various methods quantify the substantial and consistent underestimations in forest productivity estimates. To reduce the bias in diameter when using ring widths, we developed a regression model to adjust the diameter using core samples. This model is predicated on having some field-measured diameter values available at a site to calibrate and validate the model, but it can then be used to produce estimates at similar sites with similar species where no field-measured diameter values are available. Values of BAI and biomass derived from model-estimated diameter were more accurate at representing absolute growth than values produced by using the sum of the ring widths. Assessing the interannual variations in tree-growth is dependent on having metrics that accurately reflect the area and mass of wood produced. Our results suggest that published estimates of BAI and biomass using the sum of the ring widths to estimate diameter have substantially underestimated these productivity metrics. Our new procedure allows for more reliable estimates of productivity metrics that use diameter-at-breast height derived from tree rings.

Analysis of the Degree of Threat to Railway Infrastructure by Falling Tree Vegetation

The article presents a method for determining and evaluating the threat to railway infrastructure from falling trees. The main objective was to identify the degree of threat according to three parameters: the height of tree stands, species composition, and vegetation health. Identification of the threat to individual railway sections would allow the creation of measures that could increase operational safety. Evaluation should be carried out at regular intervals to assess vegetation health during certain seasons. We, therefore, recommend the use of satellite images to provide a data source and regular data updates. The potential benefit is a reduction in railway infrastructure damage and an increase in traffic flow, especially during periods of exceptional weather conditions involving high wind, ice or heavy snow. The new method presented in the paper, based on data for railway infrastructure, law and other data sources in the Czech Republic, determines a Vegetation Threat Index for Railways (VTIR). We selected the Liberec Region as an example case study because of its large spread of wooded areas around railway lines and high incidence of railway traffic accidents.

A qualitative exploration of interactions with natural environments among immigrant women in Norway

ABSTRACT The role of nature in potentially improving people’s health – including immigrant women, who are particularly prone to health challenges – has been highlighted. Success in this public health arena requires an adequate understanding of the target group’s current practices and preferences. However, knowledge in this field is lacking, and is nearly non-existent in the Norwegian context. The present study therefore aims to explore practices regarding interactions with nature among immigrant women in Norway. Data were gathered through individual interviews with 14 immigrant women from Iran (2), Poland (2), Palestine, Afghanistan, Congo, Kenya, Thailand, Russia, Portugal, Latvia, Colombia, and Bulgaria. The qualitative content analysis revealed a relatively comprehensive and mixed use of natural environments, which took place in three distinct types of locales: 1) local natural environments, e.g. neighboring wooded areas, sites by the water, playing fields, and school yards; 2) domestic natural environments, e.g. indoor and garden plants; and 3) distant natural environments, e.g. mountains and fjords requiring driving and often overnight visit. Nature outings often included passive recreational pursuits, such as eating a meal and enjoying the scenery, with a few close friends or family members. Walking emerged as a common local nature-based physical activity. Study findings also portray a complex ‘image of nature’ among the women, reflecting their valuing of both more managed and more pristine nature. Findings therefore suggest that future public health practices targeting immigrant women may apply a broad definition of ‘interaction with nature’, incorporating various geographical locales as well as types of nature.

POROSITY AND PORE SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF RECENT AND ANCIENT BURIED PHOEBE ZHENNAN WOOD DETERMINED BY MERCURY INTRUSION POROSIMETRY

The porosity and pore size distribution of recent and ancient buried Phoebe zhennan are studied in this paper by means of mercury intrusion porosimetry. The results show that the micropore and mesopore diameters of recent and buried wood are mainly distributed in range of 40.3 nm and 183.1 nm respectively, while the macropore in 45276.6 nm and 3503.9 nm separately. For both samples, the pores with diameters below 349.9 nm account for about 60% of the total intrusion volume, and contribute more than 98% of the surface area. The cumulative pore area of recent wood is slightly greater and the pore diameter ranges from 50.3 nm to 349.9 nm. While the cumulative pore area of buried wood is significantly larger than and the pore diameter ranges until 50.3 nm. These results can provide information for further investigations on the sorption behaviour and the liquid permeability of ancient buried wood.

Pans as possible pedological hotspots in an arid African savanna

Vegetation dynamics in savannas are largely determined by water availability as well as soil nutrient dynamics. Species composition differs significantly from nutrient-rich soils to nutrient-poor soils, where the former is dominated by fine-leafed palatable woody species and the latter by broad-leafed and less palatable ones. Whilst this typically occurs at a landscape or catena scale, it is also interestingly observed at a localised and micro scale in areas such as wetlands and termite mounds. Wetlands are important edaphic contrasts in savannas and are paradoxically prevalent in the semi-arid to arid regions. In Southern Africa endorheic (inward draining) wetlands, known as pans, are particularly ubiquitous in arid regions but are not well studied compared to other wetland types. These wetlands were the focus of this study, which took place in the semi-arid savanna of the Limpopo plains, South Africa. The key research aims of this study were to determine how the pans differed from the surrounding terrestrial savanna landscape with respect to soil texture and chemistry, woody plant density and vegetation species composition. Top and sub soil samples were analysed to a depth of 30 and 60 cm and vegetation transects were carried out across three identified ‘hydro-ecological’ zones, i.e. the pan centre, the wooded wetland zone around the pan and representative terrestrial savanna habitat. In addition, drone aerial imagery was utilised to accurately determine woody species density and visually understand habitat changes. As hypothesised, the physiochemical properties of the soils differed along the study gradient from terrestrial to wetland, where in general the soil fertility, clay content and water holding capacity increased. The high clay content of the pans facilitates the surface pooling of rainwater and the possible maintenance of wetland conditions in these depressions which were found to be localised soil nutrient hotspots. The wooded wetland and terrestrial areas differed from each other in woody species composition where the terrestrial areas were largely dominated by broad leafed tree and shrub species and the wooded wetland areas had few to no broad-leafed species present but rather a dominance of fine-leafed Senegalia/Vachelia species. In addition, the Senegalia/Vachelia dominated habitat had a higher tree density than the surrounding bushveld, forming closed canopy patches in some areas. This change in vegetation and soil dynamics are important in savanna ecology as these habitats function quite differently from each other with respect to nutrient cycling, herbivore behaviour and biodiversity. It was concluded that these pans are nutrient-rich hotspots, likely playing an important ecological role in the savanna landscape. Furthermore, as they are likely to be key water sources and preferential forage sites, they could be the first to show signs of degradation and be useful indicators for land managers. These pans should be highlighted as sensitive habitats with regional conservation significance, which are deserving of adequate protection from surrounding threats such as mining.

Free-roaming domestic cats near conservation areas in Chile: Spatial movements, human care and risks for wildlife

Free-roaming domestic cats can negatively affect wildlife, and understanding how they use space is fundamental to predict their potential impacts. In this study we describe the use of space of 48 owned free-roaming cats and assess the level of care provided by owners in rural areas near priority conservation areas in southern Chile. Additionally, we use camera trap data from two protected areas to assess spatial overlap with wild vertebrates, particularly the guigna (Leopardus guigna), a vulnerable forest-dwelling felid. Cat home ranges were variable (1–47.2 hectares) and their activity was mostly concentrated within 100 meters of the household, with maximum foray distances up to 2.5km. Cats used wooded areas (12% of fixes on average), mostly native forest, where spatial overlap with endemic and/or threatened species was documented. Nonetheless cats were infrequently detected in nearby protected areas (1.7% of GPS locations and 1% of the cameras). The use of wooded areas was strongly associated with the distance from the household to the forest edge and home range areas were negatively associated with house density. Our findings suggest that in areas isolated from households (>200m), the problem of cats is marginal and restricted to the edges. Management was in general deficient, observing birth control in only 13% of cats and lack of preventive health care in 86% of cats. Cat impacts could be exacerbated under increasing land subdivision in southern Chile where, without population control strategies, cats may become an emergent threat for native wildlife.

Optimizing reduction pruning under electrical lines: The influence of tree vitality before pruning on traumatic responses

Reduction pruning of main tree stems is commonly performed in the maintenance of an electricity distribution network to encourage the growth of scaffold limbs away from the wires. Understanding both the initiation and growth of epicormic branch after reduction pruning interventions, as well as the area of discolored wood at the cutting point are important for optimizing the pruning cycle and maintaining safe trees. In this study, we investigated post-pruning traumatic responses in relation to tree vitality before pruning in 116 hackberries (Celtis occidentalis L.) and 86 green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) growing in a controlled environment of a nursery. Four years before pruning, each tree of both species was assigned a degree of damage commonly occurring in urban areas, including root injury, defoliation, and stem injury, for a total of 18 treatment combinations arranged in a random block design. In both species, trees that had lower vitality prior to pruning had a reduced number, height, and volume of the epicormic branches at the cutting point two years after main stem pruning. Interestingly and contrary to expectations, a positive relationship was found between the area of discolored wood at the cutting point and tree vitality prior to pruning. However, below a vitality threshold, the area of wood discoloration was exacerbated by crown dieback and retrenchment. Celtis showed a less efficient ability to compartmentalize and produced fewer epicormic branches compared to Fraxinus, and epicormic branches were of reduced height and volume when low growth was observed. From a management perspective, although both species can survive after several damage events and after reduction of the main stem, the results suggest to conduct an assessment of tree vitality before pruning to identify trees with lower vitality and better predict the return pruning time.

A new record of Paramylodon harlani (Owen 1840) (Xenarthra, Pilosa, Mylodontidae) from the late Pleistocene of Valsequillo, Puebla, with comments on its paleobiogeography and paleoecology in Mexico

Paramylodon harlani was a large ground sloth recorded across North America, from Canada to Mexico. In Mexico, it is known from several late Pleistocene localities, but most of these records just mention the taxon in passing and few specimens have been described or illustrated. In this work, we describe a left tibia from the Valsequillo Basin, Puebla state. Its morphology and measurements allowed us to identify it as Paramylodon harlani, adding a new record for Mexico. In Mexico, P. harlani occurred mainly in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, central Mexico, with some records in the north and southeastern part of the country. Most localities are located between 1500 to 2000 m.a.s.l. Paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic inference in some localities of Mexico where P. harlani occurred, showed heterogenous vegetation dominated by grasslands, and agree with the preferred habitat proposed for this species based on localities in the United States. This indicates that P. harlani could inhabit different environments, from grasslands to more wooded areas, and this adaptation allowed it to extend its range from the north to the southeast of Mexico.

Análise da distribuição espacial de áreas verdes urbanas na qualidade térmica em região de clima semiárido

As implicações do crescimento das cidades, que ocorre de forma a subjugar os espaços naturais, têm se tornado evidentes nas últimas décadas. Dessa forma, buscou-se analisar a relação entre as configurações das áreas verdes com arborização na redução da temperatura do ar e manutenção da umidade específica, em condições climatológicas de dia quente e seco. Para isso, foram elaborados cinco cenários parametrizados que apresentam áreas verdes em 10% da área geral da gleba, em diferentes formas de espacialização: central, distribuída, linear, mista e periférica. Todos os cenários parametrizados foram modelados no software ENVI-Met 4.0 para gerar as simulações demonstrativas do comportamento higrotérmico dos cenários. A análise comparou, entre as cinco tipologias, qual a área de influência máxima alcançada pela menor temperatura do ar e maior umidade específica do ar presente simultaneamente em todos os cenários. Os resultados mostraram que a espacialização da área verde arborizada promove diferentes áreas de influência sobre o espaço simulado.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUND IN ROMANIA: ONGOING PROGRAMS FOR INCREASING ENVIRONMENT’S QUALITY

In Romania, public expenditures for environmental protection are carried out within the programs funded by the Environmental Fund. The present paper presents a brief analysis of some programs which are in progress in 2020. The focus has been on the programs aimed at reducing the degree of soil pollution and improving the quality of life. Specifically, the paper captures the use of public money in order to increase the green spaces in the localities, to increase the wooded areas and to increase the public awareness on waste management.

Ehrlichia Meningoencephalitis: A Case Series

Objective: We present the distinct clinical and laboratory findings in two cases of Ehrlichia meningoencephalitis, along with one suspected case. Background: The number of cases of Ehrlichia chaffeensis reported to the CDC has more than doubled from 2007-2017. A PubMed literature search using the words “Ehrlichiosis and meningoencephalitis” revealed five case reports with neurologic manifestations. Design/Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. Two elderly patients presented with encephalopathy, fever, transaminitis, thrombocytopenia, a positive E. chaffeensis Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in Serum, and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) with a lymphocytic or neutrophilic pleocytosis and elevated protein. One patient had similar symptoms and a positive E. chaffeensis PCR, but lumbar puncture was unable to be performed due to severe thrombocytopenia. They presented in May or June. Doxycycline was started within 2-3 days after presentation to the hospital. Follow up five months later revealed all patients were close, or back to baseline. Results and Conclusions: Suspicion of Ehrlichia meningoencephalitis should be raised in elderly patients presenting with fever and encephalopathy in the summer season with history of tick bite or residence in wooded areas. Thrombocytopenia and transaminitis should raise further suspicion. CSF studies typically show a lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein. PCR technique allows for direct detection of pathogen-specific DNA and is the preferred method of detection during the acute phase of illness. Prompt treatment with doxycycline results in good outcomes. Doxycycline is not included in the typical meningitis regimen, therefore, this disease is important to quickly identify as delay in Doxycycline can result in worse outcomes.

First Report of Fomitopsis meliae Causing Brown Wood Rot on Living Lemon Trees in Arizona and California.

Arizona is one of the largest producers of premium lemons for fresh market in the world. In 2018, 54,000 metric tons of lemons were produced on more than 7,300 acres. In recent years, wood rot diseases have become increasingly important in desert citrus production, with an incidence rate of 70 to 100% in some lemon orchards in Yuma, and lower rates in lemon orchards in the California desert. In 2018 and 2019, A brown wood rot showing symptoms of leaf chlorosis, branch gummosis and wilt, and branch breakage was the most common disease in many lemon orchards. Where disease was observed, a white mycelial mass often covered split exposed internal wood and basidiocarps were found on fallen decaying wood on orchard floors. The fungal colony, consistently isolated from decaying wood on malt extract agar or potato dextrose agar (PDA), was white, dense, and cottony-floccose. The 7-day-old culture had a distinct mushroom odor and hyphae were hyaline, thin-walled, and clamped generative. Genomic DNA was extracted from the mycelia of three isolates using DNeasy Plant Pro Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al., 1990). The resulting three nucleotide sequences were identical and deposited under accession number MW221272 in GenBank. A BLASTn search revealed 97.45% and 99.94% match with sequences HQ248221.1 and KT718002.1, respectively, which were isolates of Fomitopsis meliae with a query coverage at 100%. To fulfill Koch's postulates, pathogenicity tests were conducted on 30-year-old 'Lisbon' (Citrus x limon (L.) Osbeck) lemon trees at the Yuma Agriculture Center Mesa farm from February to July in 2019: ten branches (6-to-10 cm in diameter) from ten different trees were inoculated with each of three representative isolates. The inoculum was prepared by growing each isolate on wheat grains for three weeks at 23 to 25oC. Tree branches were inoculated by inserting five colonized wheat grains in 2-cm holes which were drilled into the branches and then covered with Parafilm. Five branches were inoculated with sterile grains and used as a control. Disease was assessed four months later by removing inoculated branches, splitting them in half through the inoculation point, and measuring the length of the wood area affected by wood rot. Brown discoloration of the wood extended an average of 3.9, 4.2, and 4.9 cm per isolate into wood tissues surrounding the inoculation hole, while control branches remained healthy. Fomitopsis meliae was consistently re-isolated from decayed wood based on morphology and ITS sequences. To our knowledge, this is the first report of brown wood rot caused by Fomitopsis meliae in lemon in Arizona and California. Fomitopsis species often attack conifers, hardwoods, and fruit trees (Adaskaveg et al., 1993, Gilbertson & Ryvarden, 1987). A species of Fomitopsis was detected in 40-year-old sweet orange trees and was highly pathogenic on lemons in southern Italy (Roccotelli et al., 2014). The ITS sequence of this Fomitopsis species (HM126455.1) shared 99% identity with those of Fomitopsis palustris (KJ995920.1) or F. ostreiformis (KC595918.1), but only 93.2% identity with that of F. meliae isolates identified in this study. Fomitopsis meliae can cause substantial pre-mature mortality of lemon trees and represents a major threat to the survival and profitability of lemon production in Arizona.