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A thirteen-year study on the impact of a severe canker disease of Corymbia calophylla, a keystone tree in Mediterranean-type forests
Dr Trudy Paap and the State Centre of Excellence for Climate Change Woodland and Forest Health have published a paper describing the impact of canker on marri trees in southwest Western Australia. This study examined the incidence and progression of a canker disease of marri (Corymbia calophylla) caused by the endemic fungal pathogen Quambalaria coyrecup at three paired forest and anthropogenically disturbed sites over 13 years. Between 2001 and 2014 6% of trees died and a further 10% developed cankers. Various rates of disease progression were observed across the three sites, some cankers expanded to the point of girdling its host which caused tree death. In 2014, 65% of marri trees were free of canker and were alive at the study sites. Variations in tree height, diameter at breast height or crown condition appeared not influence the development of cankers.
Marri trees with cankers were far more common in stands disturbed by humans (road and paddock edges) in comparison to natural forest. Canker incidence increased from 35% to 50% at disturbed sites and 10% to 14% at natural sites between 2001 and 2014. Marri canker is having a substantial impact on the survival of the tree species in southwest Western Australia. Although there were fewer cankered trees in intact forest and progression was slower, their presence is of concern as it is having a substantial effect on the survival of this tree and could have long-lasting effects on future populations.
You can read the full paper: A thirteen-year study on the impact of a severe canker disease of Corymbia calophylla, a keystone tree in Mediterranean-type forests
A well developed marri canker. Credit: Trudy Paap
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