Understanding Private Landowners Involvement, Knowledge Sharing, and Social Networks in Conservation of Brown Ash in the Face of Emerald Ash Borer

Author

Emily Francis, University of MaineFollow

Date of Award

Summer 8-2024

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Open-Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Forest Resources

Advisor

John Daigle

Second Committee Member

Bridie McGreavy

Third Committee Member

Parinaz Rahimzadeh-Bajgiran

Additional Committee Members

Darren Ranco

Rachel E. Schattman

Abstract

North America is facing a deadly invasive forest pest: the emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis Marsh.), which has the ability to eliminate brown ash trees (Fraxinus nigra). The geopolitical boundary for Maine is the unceded territory of the Wabanaki People, and the final northeastern US state for EAB to infest. EAB threatens brown ash which holds importance environmentally, economically, culturally, and intrinsically to the Wabanaki People and the state of Maine. This dissertation aims to determine the direction of outreach and research to sustain brown ash trees for the future through an important stakeholder group, private landowners, to explore how the network of those protecting against EAB has developed and the future for this as a long-term conservation problem. Objectives of this study include: determining private landowner understanding and intentions for managing ash against EAB, developing a community-focused ash seed collection manual, and analyzing the network of relationships of the parties involved with brown ash conservation and protection against EAB in Maine. Private landowners of forested land in Maine were surveyed using Involvement Theory to gain understanding of the knowledge of brown ash and EAB and the management intentions for protecting ash in Maine. An ash seed collection manual was developed with input and review by various research partners and ash experts to create a ‘living document’ to be updated in perpetuity as the ash seed research needs develop. The network of those protecting ash against EAB in Maine was analyzed for connectedness using Social Networking Analysis. The outcomes of this research will: increase protection of ash as an ecological and cultural resource providing insight into the plans of management by private landowners, increase the ability for ash to be protected and researched with community efforts in seed collection, and an understanding of the social network that works together to slow the spread of EAB and respond to the aftermath of EAB to sustain brown ash on the land.

Recommended Citation

Francis, Emily, "Understanding Private Landowners Involvement, Knowledge Sharing, and Social Networks in Conservation of Brown Ash in the Face of Emerald Ash Borer" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4015.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/4015