Alder Canker Survey Initiated 2005

This data set is a permanent record of the extent of canker infection in Alnus tenuifolia throughout interior and south-central Alaska during 2005. During the summer of 2005, we initiated a long-term monitoring of the stem canker (putatively Valsa melanodiscus) infection of Alnus tenuifolia that is resulting in widespread growth suppression, branch dieback, and ramet mortality of the host throughout south-central and interior Alaska. Replicated sites were selected along the Tanana River in interior Alaska, along the Eagle River in the Anchorage Basin, and along Quartz Creek on the Kenai Peninsula. All stems within large (300 to 900 m2 plots) were measured, permanently tagged (if > 4 cm diameter DBH) and canker infection described. Binary codes for progressive states of canker infection were noted for every stem. It is these data that are listed in this file. Additional data on nitrogen fixation rates, nodule biomass, leaf and soil chemistry, and Frankia haplotype characterization using PCR/RFLP were collected. These additional data sets will be posted separately.