Frank Koch : Research

My research focuses on spatial aspects of forest pest invasions. I am interested in how, when, and especially where invaders are introduced, become established, and spread into new areas. Much of what I do is aimed at addressing these questions in order to quantify and map pest risk at broad spatial scales.

As a member of the Forest Health Monitoring national research team, I have enjoyed the good fortune to collaborate with talented scientists from the USDA Forest Service as well as the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Canadian Forest Service, several universities including NCSU, the Smithsonian, and other organizations. I have worked on a number of different forest pests in the past few years, including the following:

• Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae)

• Sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum)

• Sirex woodwasp (Sirex noctilio)

• Redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) and the associated laurel wilt fungus (Raffaelea sp.)

• Mediterranean pine engraver (Orthotomicus erosus)

• European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus)

• Phytophthora alni ssp. alni

• Phytophthora kernoviae

I am always looking for data (particularly spatial data) that could be used to represent some aspect of pest risk. If you ever come across something that you find interesting, even if it would take some serious manipulation to make it "fit", feel free to give me a call or send an e-mail.

Projects/Publications List

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