Chalara: Ash Die-back Virtual Woodland Environment

Chalara dieback of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is a disease of ash trees caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea. The disease causes leaf loss and crown dieback, usually leading to tree death. First found in the UK in February 2012, local spread is by wind and by movement of diseased plants over longer distances. Woodlands in Scotland are infected, the distribution of sites of which is reported by the Forestry Commission, and can be viewed on the interactive Chalara (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) infection map. Background information on the disease, its origins, symptoms and precautions to reduce risks of spread are available from the Forestry Commission here. The James Hutton Institute has developed a Virtual Reality model to present information about the symptoms and different stages and spread of infection of Chalara ash dieback on woodlands. The model was designed to represent characteristics of the vegetation and topography of a site in north-west Scotland. Interactive functions have been included which enable the presentation of a narrative about the Chalara Ash Dieback threat to woodlands, including scenarios of spread of infection, symptoms of infection, the death of trees, and the regeneration of woodland. The model can be downloaded and used in a PC or virtual reality environment. Guidelines are provided, and links to the relevant software for its use. Software: The software required to use the model in Virtual Reality is ‘BS Contact Stereo’. The free to use, demonstration version of the software package can be download from here. The 3D model can be used through BS Contact Stereo for a Virtual Reality headset (e.g. Oculus Rift). [Note: Users may notice a ‘blue dot’ floating across the screen when they are exploring the Virtual Reality model. That has no effect or role in the model. It is a feature of the demonstration free-to-use package.] Start model: To start the model, users should load and play the file: AshDieback_Main.wrl. Navigation: Navigation of the 3D environment of the woodland can be by use of a keyboard or Xbox controller. More information about the model and disease are is available at: Chalara: Ash Die-back Virtual Woodland Environment. Photographs can be accessed of the Virtual Reality model in use with an Oculus Rift headset, and in the Virtual Landscape Theatre.欧洲白蜡树（Fraxinus excelsior）Chalara枯梢病（Chalara dieback of ash）是由真菌Chalara fraxinea引发的白蜡树病害。该病害会导致叶片脱落与树冠枯梢，通常最终造成树木死亡。该病害于2012年2月在英国首次被发现，本地传播依靠风力，长距离传播则依赖染病植株的转运。苏格兰境内的林地已受该病害侵染，其染病位点的分布情况由林业委员会（Forestry Commission）公布，可通过交互式Chalara（Hymenoscyphus fraxineus）侵染地图查看。关于该病害的背景信息、起源、症状以及降低传播风险的防护措施，可从林业委员会获取相关内容。詹姆斯·赫顿研究所（James Hutton Institute）已开发一款虚拟现实（Virtual Reality）模型，用于展示林地内Chalara白蜡枯梢病的侵染症状、不同侵染阶段以及传播路径相关信息。该模型旨在还原苏格兰西北部某林地的植被与地形特征。模型内置交互式功能，可呈现关于Chalara白蜡枯梢病对林地威胁的科普内容，涵盖侵染传播情景、染病症状、树木死亡以及林地自然更新等场景。该模型可下载后在个人电脑或虚拟现实环境中运行，配套提供使用指南以及相关软件的获取链接。软件要求：用于虚拟现实环境下运行该模型的专用软件为「BS Contact Stereo」。该软件包的免费演示版可从此处下载。通过「BS Contact Stereo」软件，可配合虚拟现实头显（如Oculus Rift）使用该三维模型。【注】用户在浏览该虚拟现实模型时，可能会看到屏幕上浮动着一个蓝色圆点，该元素不会对模型运行产生任何影响，仅为该免费演示版软件的自带功能。启动模型：用户需加载并运行文件AshDieback_Main.wrl以启动该模型。操作导航：该林地三维环境的导航可通过键盘或Xbox手柄完成。更多关于该模型与病害的信息可访问：Chalara: Ash Die-back Virtual Woodland Environment。可查看搭配Oculus Rift头显使用该虚拟现实模型，以及在虚拟景观剧场中使用的相关照片。