Estimates of the Potential Cost of Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) in Canadian Municipalities    (View PDF)

Daniel W. McKenney, John H. Pedlar, Denys Yemshanov, D. Barry Lyons, Kathy L. Campbell, and Kevin Lawrence

Abstract: Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive phloem-feeding insect causing extensive mortality to ash (Fraxinus sp.) in North America. Economic costs associated with EAB-related mortality of street and backyard trees in Canadian urban areas were estimated over a 30-year time horizon. The approach employed a simple spread model to approximate EAB arrival times at each community based on three maximum spread rates: slow (~10 km/year), medium (~30 km/year), and fast (~50 km/year). Costs are estimated for four discount rates (0%, 2%, 4%, and 10%) and three treatment rates (0%, 10%, and 50% of trees treated with an insecticide). Ash density along urban roads was estimated from a variety of sources, including a recently developed survey that allows for rapid assessment of street tree compositions. Based on the 30 km/year spread rate, a 4% discount rate, and a 10% treatment rate, the present value of the costs is estimated to be approximately CAD $524 million (2010 currency rate); this value increases to roughly $890 million when costs associated with backyard trees are included. These estimates are conservative because they focus only on damage to street (and backyard) trees; nonetheless, their magnitude suggests considerable justification for investments to slow the spread of EAB in Canada.

Keywords: Agrilus planipennis; Canada; Cost-benefit Analysis; EAB Spread Model; Fraxinus; Urban Forest Management.

https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.2012.013