Posts tagged ‘health’
The authors recently travelled to East Sussex on the hunt to find some of England’s last remaining mature elm trees.
East Sussex is one of the last strongholds for the elm, where it is assisted in its battle to survive the continuing onslaught of Dutch Elm Disease by a special project run by East Sussex County Council; who employ a dedicated Dutch Elm Disease Officer.
The fungus that wiped out 3.5 billion chestnut trees in the USA has been found for the first time in Britain. Chestnut blight, caused by the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica (C. parasitica), has been confirmed by Forest Research scientists on trees in two small orchards of European sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa). The trees were imported by an English tree nursery from the same grower in France. The sites in Warwickshire and East Sussex are the first findings in Britain. Until now, the English Channel had prevented its spread from mainland Europe.
The fungus infection is usually fatal to European sweet chestnut and its North American relative, Castanea dentata, although it appears to be less virulent in Europe than it is in America. It is believed to have first originated in Eastern Asia before being introduced to North America in the late 19th Century, where it has since devastated billions of trees in the East of the country (see The American Chestnut Foundation). It was first identified in Europe in 1938, in Italy, and has since spread to most parts of southern Europe where sweet chestnut is grown, and to parts of northern Europe.
Identifying chestnut blight
The most obvious symptoms of chestnut blight are wilting and die-back of tree shoots. Young trees with this infection normally die back to the root collar, and might re-sprout before becoming re-infected. Other symptoms, such as stem cankers and the presence of fruiting bodies can also occur.
What now?
The trees where the fungus were discovered had been imported into the UK for nut production. As I have written before (e.g. Climate Change and Global Trade), the import/export of trees is potentially the most significant factor in the spread of new tree pests and diseases. Case proven I think. Let’s hope that FERA (Food & Environment Research Agency of the UK Government) is given adequate resources to tackle this very serious fungus. Afterall, sweet chestnut is a beautiful tree species in our forests and when coppiced, as it is in commonly in Kent (see Sweet Chestnut Coppice), it is one of the few forest systems that pays well and regularly.
Gabriel Hemery
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Green exercise is any activity in the presence of nature, including woodland. There is considerable and widespread evidence that demonstrates it leads to positive short and long-term health benefits for people; in physical wellbeing and mental health.
According to a recent scientific study 1 both men and women gain similar improvements in self-esteem after green exercise, though men showed the greatest difference for mood. The greatest change in self-esteem was in the young and the mentally ill. The study concluded that the outdoor environment and nature provides an important health service.
I wrote previously about an estimated 317 million people-visits per year to woodlands, a large majority of these being for dog-walking and other casual visits. There is also increasing interest in organised exercise taking place in the outdoors.
Perhaps one of the best ideas, at least in my view, is the Green Gym run by the BTCV. The concept is that people undertake physical work in the outdoors with the joint benefits of gaining exercise while improving the environment; for example in coppicing or clearing scrub at a local nature reserve.
A more recent phenomenon, extending the concept of organised green exercise in the outdoors, are the karate, pilates and other exercise classes springing up (excuse the pun) in city parks and other outdoor spaces. I came across this exercise class (above photo) in a nature reserve, and it was proving a hit with the sheep flock and passing twitchers. However, these types of activities are not without controversy. According to The Tax Payers’ Alliance Council chiefs of two London Boroughs recently introduced new rules stating that:
.. anyone making money by being in a park should pay a fee. This means the council will now use patrols to check if anyone suspected of personal training, dog walking, nannying or even teaching for money has got the requisite license.
I’m sure it’s a personal taste but I would much prefer to don some old clothes and spend an hour or two with bowsaw or billhook, than roll around in lycra while watched by sheep. What do ewe think?
Gabriel Hemery
Reference
1 Barton, J. and Pretty, J. (2010). What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 44 , (10), pp. 3947–3955. DOI 10.1021/es903183r. Read Abstract
The Oak Processionary Moth is a serious pest, not only for oak trees but also for human health.
The oak processionary moth
The oak processionary moth (OPM) Thaumetopoea processionea gets its common name from its habit of moving along oak (it’s food plant) in processionary columns. It is a species native to southern Europe, which spread northwards during the late 20th Century, being recorded first in the Netherlands in 1991, and then Belgium, France and Germany soon afterwards.
Colonies of the OPM in the UK were first discovered in 2006, in a housing estate in the London Borough of Richmond. It was identified after a large number of local people reported skin rashes. It is apparent that the OPM had arrived on imported Cypress oak (Quercus robur f. fastigiata) trees. Colonies were sighted later at Brent, Ealing, Hounslow and Richmond Upon Thames, including Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. The OPM colonises urban areas readily, preferring warm, sunny and sheltered sites for breeding. In 2010 a new infestation was spotted west of London, at Pangbourne in Berkshire (source). It is likely that milder winters and fewer Spring frosts may be contributing to population expansion (read more about trees pests, climate change and global trade).
Significant resources have been expended in attempts to control OPM. In 2011, Richmond Park alone will be spending £50,000 in attempting to control it (source). Initial confidence that the first colonies across London could be contained has given way to real fear that OPM may now be out of control:
“The area affected by OPM is growing steadily. It seems possible that attempts to eradicate the pest may fail … despite the hard work and effort put in by many organisations and individuals, we may be on the brink of failure.”
London Tree Officers Association website (accessed 3rd May 2011)
Effects of OPM on oak trees
Nest of oak processionary moths (Thaumetopoea processionea) on an oak stem. Photo Falko Seyffarth (Wikipedia)
Oak trees colonised by OPM can be seriously defoliated and there are reports of tree death in some instances. However, the trees will normally recover and leaf the following year. On the European continent OPM has also been reported on beech, silver birch, hazel, hornbeam, and sweet chestnut but normally only when neighbouring infested oak trees. Oak trees under 2m in height are not normally colonised.
Human health
The caterpillars of the third to sixth instars have poisonous hairs or setae that carry a toxin that can cause serious irritation to the skin, eyes, nose and throat of humans and other animals. If inhaled they can cause respiratory distress, asthma and even anaphylactic shock. Read more.
Not only should the caterpillars never be touched but even being in proximity to them can be dangerous as their hairs can be carried in the wind.
Reporting
You should never attempt to handle the caterpillars or disturb their nests.
If you suspect an incidence of oak processionary moth, sightings can be reported to Forest Research by telephoning 01420 22255 or by e-mail to christine.tilbury@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.
Gabriel Hemery
Securing healthy sustainably managed forests across Europe
June 14, 2011
Gabriel Hemery
The fact that Europe’s forests are increasing represents a huge potential in helping to solve these challenges and sustain the vital values deriving from forests for people, their livelihood, our environment and future generations.
One of the main outcomes of the conference is an eagerly awaited strengthening of a strengthened policy framework for sustainable forest management throughout Europe. Ministers are expected to decide whether to enter into negotiations on a legally binding agreement on forests in Europe. The stance that the UK Government will take is currently unclear but given the UK’s exemplary record we should have high expectations. The UK’s Forestry Commission was awarded a WWF ‘Gift to the Earth’ in 2001 for its contribution to and delivery on sustainable forestry, and was the first state forestry service to achieve 100% certification for its woods.
Gabriel Hemery
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