Mayo leading the way in tackling ash dieback
For more than a decade, ash dieback has been observed in Ireland.
Caused by the invasive fungal species Hymenoscyphus fraxineus this disease currently represents the greatest threat to the survival of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in Europe.
The disease is widely distributed in Ireland and is present in all counties where ash grows.
Mayo County Council, in partnership with UCD, Teagasc and Balla CRD, has developed a Citizen Science project in Mayo.
Local eyes on the ground are important to help spot healthy ash trees.
The hope is that cloning healthy trees can create a disease tolerant gene bank for the future.
A preparatory event took place in Balla where staff and students from the UCD Geography, and UCD Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy collected high resolu-tion, multi-spectral and thermal imagery of local woodlands using drones.
The footage will be used mainly for teaching purposes but, as up to 5% of ash trees may be tolerant of the disease, analysis of the images could help identify Balla trees that show resistance to ash dieback.
Identifying healthy ash trees is important as they will help create a disease-tolerant gene bank for the future.
Teagasc’s ‘Ash for Future’ project is a nationwide research initiative that seeks to identify healthy ash trees.
Cuttings are being gathered from healthy trees and grown in the Teagasc research nursery as a disease-tolerant gene bank to help restore the species in Ireland.
In the first place, the Mayo population is needed to help identify healthy local trees, hence the Citi-zen Science aspect of the work.
Sophia Meeres, from UCD Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, said: “It is so valu-able for Teagasc to have the assistance of a local authority in promoting the project and the partnership with Mayo County Council should help boost its success."
Peter Gill, Parks Superintendent, Mayo County Council added: “The project provides a unique opportunity for the people of Mayo to be part of an innovative project.
"Potentially, within five years, healthy young trees can be returned to Mayo parks as part of the research.”
The most important thing the public can do now is record sightings of healthy ash trees that show resistance to dieback.
The aim is to establish seed-producing orchards of ash dieback tolerant trees that can help restore ash to Ireland's woodlands as well as to Mayo’s parks, gardens and hedgerows.
Help enhance understanding of the disease and its impact in Mayo and help promote the conservation and restoration of ash trees to ensure their continued presence for generations to come.
Mayo County Council, with the help of UCD and Teagasc has prepared an online form in sup-port of the ‘Ash for Future’ project.
They need you to identify healthy local trees and signal them.
To access the online survey visit the following address - bit.ly/Ash-Dieback-Survey