Citizen and Scientist Enthusiasm for Tree Health Monitoring and Surveillance in the UK

Trees are culturally visible markers for environmental stress. The growth of the international plant trade, climate change, and insufficient biosecurity protocols have led to an increase in invasive pests and diseases... [ view full abstract ]

Trees are culturally visible markers for environmental stress. The growth of the international plant trade, climate change, and insufficient biosecurity protocols have led to an increase in invasive pests and diseases affecting trees.

Governments and other officials have identified the public and citizen science as an important part of the response in detecting the arrival, presence, spread and absence of pests and diseases. Through the example of Chalara fraxinea, popularly known as Chalara dieback of ash, this paper examines the role of enthusiasm in tree health monitoring and surveillance in the UK, specifically revealing the strong emotional affiliations involved in tree health monitoring. The paper reveals the opportunities and challenges encountered when government scientists ask members of the public, often unaware of tree health pests and diseases, to monitor environments for health.