Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida, was observed along the western escarpment of the Appalachian plateau in the summer of 1996. Transects were established randomly from stands of wilderness that met 'undisturbed' requirements so as to minimize biases that might result from anthropogenic stresses such as roads or trails. All dogwood were classed as dead, diseased, or not diseased by dogwood anthracnose, Discula destructiva. The results show that there is much more dogwood mortality in states with higher deposition totals. These data do not imply cause and effect, but give rise for further consideration of the relationship between changes in forest health and in our atmosphere.
Gases produced from combustion are strong vectors for change in forests.
Ozone is a secondary gas produced from reactions involving gaseous oxides of nitrogen. This phenomenon arises out of changes in nutrient fluxes within the soil. Increases in atmospheric NO x and SO 2 result in increases of these compounds in the soil. From these data, it can be determined that different parts of the Appalachian Plateau receive different levels of pollutant deposition. Dogwood anthracnose, caused by the fungus Discula destructiva, has been known for about 20 years.