Tribal and Biological Assessments of the Role and Future of Black Ash
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313587239 The Precarious State of a Cultural Keystone Species: Tribal and Biological Assessments of the Role and Future of Black Ash Article in Journal of Forestry -Washington- · January 2017 DOI: 10.5849/jof.2016-034R1 CITATIONS READS 0 30 14 authors, including: J. C. Tardif Jeffery P. Dech The University of Winnipeg Nipissing University 94 PUBLICATIONS 2,069 CITATIONS 27 PUBLICATIONS 210 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE John J. Daigle Darren Ranco University of Maine University of Maine 38 PUBLICATIONS 547 CITATIONS 12 PUBLICATIONS 96 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Continuous vessels chronologies in black ash and green ash View project Tree-Ring Anomalies View project All content following this page was uploaded by John J. Daigle on 15 February 2017. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are added to the original document and are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you access and read them immediately. J. For. ●(●):000–000 REVIEW ARTICLE http://dx.doi.org/10.5849/jof.2016-034R1 Copyright © 2017 Society of American Foresters forest ecology The Precarious State of a Cultural Keystone Species: Tribal and Biological Assessments of the Role and Future of Black Ash Kara K.L. Costanza, William H. Livingston, Daniel M. Kashian, Robert A. Slesak, Jacques C. Tardif, Jeffrey P. Dech, Allaire K. Diamond, John J. Daigle, Darren J. Ranco, Jennifer S. Neptune, Les Benedict, Shawn R. Fraver, Michael Reinikainen, and Nathan W. Siegert Black ash (Fraxinus nigra Marsh.) plays a central role in several Native American teachings (including a lack ash (Fraxinus nigra Marsh.) is a Wabanaki creation story) and has long been used for basketry, yet relatively little is known about the species’ unique and significant tree species ecology. The recent and ongoing invasion of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), an invasive B from ecological, economic, and beetle killing millions of ash trees in eastern North America, threatens the future of black ash and the cultural perspectives. The species occupies centuries-old basketry tradition. In recognition of the precarious state of this cultural keystone species, a particular ecological niche in forested basketmakers, basket-tree harvesters, and researchers assembled to discuss traditional ecological knowledge and wetlands where few other woody plants research advancements related to black ash. Here we provide an overview of basket-quality ash, synthesize thrive. Ecosystems containing black ash current knowledge of black ash biology and ecology, and report findings from this successful tribal and scientific stands also play an important role in sup- collaboration. Management recommendations were developed and future research needs outlined in hopes of porting other unique species, including sustaining an ecologically important tree species and maintaining a Native American tradition that has cultural flooded jellyskin (Leptogium rivulare [Ach.] and spiritual significance. Mont.), a threatened arboreal lichen that preferentially occurs on the basal bark of Keywords: Agrilus planipennis, emerald ash borer, Fraxinus nigra, basketry, invasive forest pest, traditional mature black ash (Lee 2004). In addition, ecological knowledge Native American and European American basketmakers derive socioeconomic benefit Received August 5, 2016; accepted December 22, 2016; published online February 9, 2017. Affiliations: Kara K.L. Costanza ([email protected]), School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, Orono, ME. William H. Livingston ([email protected]), School of Forest Resources, University of Maine. Daniel M. Kashian ([email protected]), Wayne State University. Robert A. Slesak ([email protected]), Minnesota Forest Resources Council. Jacques C. Tardif ([email protected]), University of Winnipeg. Jeffrey P. Dech ([email protected]), Nipissing University. Allaire K. Diamond ([email protected]), Vermont Land Trust. John J. Daigle ([email protected]), Member of the Penobscot Indian Nation and School of Forest Resources, University of Maine. Darren J. Ranco ([email protected]), Member of the Penobscot Indian Nation and Department of Anthropology, University of Maine. Jennifer S. Neptune ([email protected]), Member of the Penobscot Indian Nation and Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance. Les Benedict ([email protected]), Member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment. Shawn R. Fraver ([email protected]), School of Forest Resources, University of Maine. Michael Reinikainen ([email protected]), University of Minnesota. Nathan W. Siegert ([email protected]), USDA Forest Service. Acknowledgments: We appreciate the traditional ecological knowledge regarding black ash basketry and basket-quality ash that was generously shared by Gabriel Frey (Passamaquoddy Tribe, Indian Township), Jeremy Frey (Passamaquoddy Tribe, Indian Township), Eldon Hanning (Micmac Tribe), Frank Hanning (Micmac Tribe), Gerald “Butch” Jacobs (Passamaquoddy Tribe, Pleasant Point), Peter Neptune (Passamaquoddy Tribe, Pleasant Point), Richard Silliboy (Micmac Tribe), Fred Tomah (Maliseet Tribe), and Richard David (Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe). Photos were taken by Sheridan Adams and Knife Edge Productions, Nathan W. Siegert, and Kara K.L. Costanza. This work was supported by the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection, and by the National Science Foundation (Award EPS-0904155 to Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine), and by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, McIntire–Stennis project number #ME0-M-8-00501-12 through the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station. Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station Publication Number XXXX. Journal of Forestry • MONTH 2017 1 from black ash via a variety of basketmaking widely (e.g., Sims et al. 1990, Wright and Traditional Ecological traditions. Rauscher 1990, Gustafson and Sturtevant Knowledge on Basket-Quality Like many of the Native Americans and 2013, Reyes et al. 2013). Because of the Ash First Nations people in the native range of minimal information available on black ash Basket-tree harvesters and basketmak- black ash, the Wabanaki tribes in Maine and the imminent threat from EAB, it is es- ers are the primary forces driving black ash (Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians, Houl- sential to compile and distribute up-to-date, ecological research in Maine and other re- ton Band of Maliseet Indians, Passamaquo- comprehensive information on black ash be- gions. Maine tribes formed the Black Ash ddy Tribe, and Penobscot Indian Nation) fore EAB devastates the resource. Task Force in the early 1990s to address con- and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe in New To assess current knowledge about cerns about black ash decline. The Task York and Canada have a long history of har- black ash, a group of basket-tree harvesters Force, which is a partnership of tribal, univer- vesting black ash for basketry (Benedict and from Maine (Wabanaki tribes) and upstate sity, and state and federal personnel, remains Frelich 2008, Diamond and Emery 2011). New York (Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe), active and is currently addressing the potential Specific wood qualities, such as strength and along with a group of black ash researchers, loss of black ash due to EAB. One approach is flexibility, make black ash unique and ex- assembled at the University of Maine’s Black to identify individual traits and site character- plain in part why it is highly preferred for istics that produce suitable basket-quality trees basketry (Benedict and David 2004). Yet the Ash Symposium in November 2014. The which, in turn, can guide priorities for tree and species’ cultural significance goes beyond group discussed traditional ecological stand management before, during, and after weaving baskets; black ash is at the spiritual knowledge related to black ash and the bas- the EAB invasion occurs. center of the tribes’ teachings, including one ketry tradition, recent advancements in Each black ash basket-tree harvester has of their creation stories (Leland 1884, Bene- black ash ecological research, misconcep- a range of knowledge and opinions regard- dict and David 2004). Many basketmakers tions about the species’ biology and ecology, ing the specific attributes associated with rely on “basket-tree harvesters”: these indi- and the threat EAB poses to the black ash basket-quality trees. After a suitable basket- viduals are tribal members who have learned resource. The group then visited four black quality tree is identified and felled, the trunk to identify favorable sites and recognize in- ash stands in Maine where they assessed the is “pounded” to separate the annual growth dividual black ash trees that are likely to pro- species’ current status and discussed poten- rings, thus creating thin splints that can be duce basket-quality materials. As such, they tial responses to EAB infestations. Based on manually smoothed and gauged. Different are also responsible for maintaining and these assessments, recommendations were wood qualities may be sought for different passing on tribal knowledge about the spe- developed to address best basket-tree har- types of baskets, from sturdy pack baskets or cies from generation to generation. vesting practices and