Evaluate how the population dynamics of emerald ASH borer and its released natural enemies influence forest health outcomes at both long-term release sites and non-release sites

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the University of New Hampshire a Cooperative Agreement totaling $129,616 on July 31, 2026, to evaluate the population dynamics of emerald ash borer and its released natural enemies and their influence on forest health outcomes.

The recipient will collect field data comparing current populations to 2015–2016 baseline data to analyze decadal trends, and conduct a literature review examining how natural enemy establishment and parasitism rates have affected emerald ash borer populations and ash tree survival. Deliverables include field data on emerald ash borer and associated natural enemy population dynamics and ash health status, along with a synthesis of published literature and program data to evaluate the success of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Emerald Ash Borer Program. Work is performed in New Hampshire with a period of performance from July 31, 2026 to July 30, 2027. The funding supports the Emerald Ash Borer Biological Control Initiative by providing field-validated evidence of the initiative's impact at both long-term release sites and non-release sites, informing future program decisions for the federal biological control effort.

This will help plant protection and quarantine evaluate the field impact of the emerald ASH borer biological control initiative. Activities to be performed: the recipient will collect field data and compare IT to field data from 2015-2016 to analyze decadal trends. The recipient will also conduct a literature review to examine how natural enemy establishment and parasitism rate have affected emerald ASH borer populations and ASH tree survival. Deliverables and expected outcomes: expected deliverables include field data on emerald ASH borer and associated natural enemy PO pulation dynamics and ASH health and a review of published literature and program data to evaluate program success. Intended beneficiary(IES): plant protection and quarantine's emerald ASH borer program will benefit from this work.