Challenges:
Drought & The Nautical Borer
(C) Richard Murphy
Learn more about the Nautical Borer at
Pest Web
Drought
Droughts significantly impact native habitats and trees, leading to reduced growth, increased stress, and potentially death, as well as altering ecosystems and impacting wildlife. (drought.gov).
Sadly, while some of our invasive non-native beetles are killing older oak trees, younger trees are also being stressed by lack of rainfall, weakening them and making them vulnerable to a variety of threats. California is used to drought, but climate change has altered the intensity and number of drought years.
You may have noticed young oak trees drying throughout North San Diego County. Many are stressed by drought and being killed by a different beetle, this case a native beetle, called the nautical borer.
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As funds allow, the Conservancy is monitoring and treating trees on its preserves and participating in research studies to help us better our understanding of these threats to biodiversity and what we can do about them.
