Surface coal mining in Appalachia disturbs hundreds of hectares of land every year with the removal of valuable and ecologically diverse eastern deciduous forests. After the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act in 1977, coal mine operators began planting a variety of grasses and legumes as a fast and economical way to reestablish a permanent vegetative cover to meet erosion...

In a case study, we evaluated observers’ accuracy in detecting Phytophthora ramorum and their ability to estimate percentage of infested area in coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) stands in California. The study compared visual detection of symptoms on California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) and oaks with results from three permanent 1-hectare plots. Each plot had 100 percent survey of...

Aerial and satellite imagery are widely used to assess the severity and impact of wildfires. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is a newer remote sensing technology that has demonstrated utility in measuring vegetation structure. Combined use of imagery and LiDAR may improve the assessment of wildfire impacts compared to imagery alone. Estimation of tree mortality at the plot scale could serve...