Marina J. Orlova-Bienkowskaja, Andrzej O. Bieńkowski. 2018.
Modeling long-distance dispersal of emerald ash borer in European Russia and prognosis of spread of this pest to neighboring countries within next 5 years.
[М.Я. Орлова-Беньковская, А.О. Беньковский. Вероятностное моделирование распространения ясеневой изумрудной узкотелой златки в
европейской части России и прогноз распространения этого вредителя в соседние страны на
ближайшие 5 лет.]
Ecology and Evolution, 2018; 00:1-9.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4437
Location:
Cities and transport hubs of European Russia and neighboring countries.
Ash trees in this region occur mainly in urban plantations and along highways.
Methods:
Pairwise distances between all locations were used as the main parameter
determining the probability of pest spread. For each location, the probability of detection of A. planipennis was calculated using three simulation recurrent models of
long-distance dispersal. Parametrization was made by comparison with results of
surveys in 2003-2015. Field data on the range of A. planipennis in 2016-2017 were
mapped and used for model verification. A prognosis of spread of the pest by 2022
was made.
Results:
A model based on fat-tailed kernel corresponds to both negative and positive results of surveys. According to the model, the current range is likely to be restricted to Russia, but probability of detection of the pest in the east of Belarus,
Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania by 2022 is 15%-40%.
Main conclusions:
The forestry services of neighboring countries probably have
about 5 years to prepare for the invasion of this pest, but regular surveys are necessary, since the pest can appear at any time. The case considered shows that the
simple approach based on a fat-tailed kernel and just one parameter-pairwise distance between cities can be used for modeling long-distance dispersal of alien pests
of urban plantations.