Can Citizen Science Help Save the European Ash Tree?

Fraxinus, the biologically, scientifically, and ecologically relevant version of Candy Crush Saga (Image Credit: Fraxinus) In the November print issue of Discover Magazine, the article “Cooking trees to save citrus” discusses the pathogenic attack of citrus trees by a bacterium spread by Asian psyllids and how heat generation can sterilize trees from these infectious agents. Unfortunately, the ash tree, which is also under attack by a microbial pathogen, doesn’t have the same line of defense. In a race against the spread of the disease across Europe, scientists are trying to uncover the genetic mechanism for fungal resistance by recruiting the help of citizen scientists. With autumn comes a multitude of colors—but the ash tree, faithful to its name, stays a non-conflagrant color while waiting for winter to take its leaves. Or while waiting for its microscopic predator, the Chalara fungus. Chalara causes ash dieback, a disease that has wiped out ...