Examining the Effect of Beech Bark Disease on Radial Growth in American Beech

Beech bark disease (BBD) is a significant threat to forests of North America and the impact BBD on radial growth in American beech substantial. We developed novel hierarchical Bayesian (HB) model simultaneously dynamics, tree growth, interaction two. Our can be adapted both emerging more mature forest–pathogen systems aid ecosystem loss predictions. Long-term data from single site minimized potential confounding variables such as climate change, precipitation, land use history, soil conditions that may influence growth. Here, 206 trees were monitored over 15 years at an 85-acre southwestern Vermont, measuring diameter breast height (DBH) progression BBD. allows us accurately estimate error rates severity estimation DBH measurements, true state based environmental variables. As poses threats many species around world, researchers obtain value information their datasets utilizing HB model.