Scenario workshops exploring how land managers’ decisions might affect the surveillance for EAB and deployment of containment measures
Three online workshops gathered a range of stakeholders who manage ash trees in some capacity from public to private and covering large to small areas of land. Participants were drawn from those that had already responded to Forest Research’s survey of land managers.
The workshops used a serious gaming approach, having participants roleplay through a scenario of emerald ash borer (EAB) arriving in the UK. Participants made choices on how to react at key decision points before and after the beetle’s arrival, followed by a short reflective discussion of those choices. Each workshop followed a new scenario, testing how participants’ choices might change over time or with additional information (Table x).
| Participants’ location | Number of participants | Scenario | Participants reacted to: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nation-wide | 12 | EAB is detected early and eradicated | information about surveillance methods |
| Kent and South East England | 9 | EAB takes 15 years to arrive and spreads despite eradication attempts | attitude to surveillance over time as ash reduces in the landscape |
| North Wales | 6 | EAB is discovered after it has already spread | information on each others’ choices and on surveillance methods |
Participants currently do some level of standard health and safety checks, checking for a variety of pests and diseases that are already a threat to trees in the UK, such as Ash dieback (ADB) and Oak Processionary Moth (OPM). After learning that by the time canopy damage is visible from the ground, the population of beetles would probably have been established for a few years and therefore have spread further than it would be possible to contain and eradicate, participants added sticky traps, trap trees and under-bark inspections to their surveillance choices. However, they would be constrained by resources. Smaller organisations were unwilling to invest in surveillance for a pest that is not yet present without additional support. Larger organisations would like to see a more detailed cost-effectiveness comparison of different surveillance methods beyond our brief overview. Broadly, participants look to the authorities for guidance, but would also expect to learn from European managers as EAB spreads through Europe. Participants in Kent in particular mentioned that they might be unlikely to do more than they have already done to mitigate for and manage ADB, especially as there are so few ash trees left in their holdings.
Looking ahead, participants would encourage natural predators such as woodpeckers and be interested in learning about other biological control options. They would plant alternatives to ash, particularly that provide similar ecological function. The protective capability of diverse woodlands was highlighted.
Overall, participants were interested in the new information and hearing about other land managers’ experiences and perspectives.
