Article: How to Best Slow The Bug

Mercader, Rodrigo J., Nathan W. Siegert, Andrew M. Liebhold, and Deborah G. McCullough. 2011. "Simulating the Effectiveness of Tree Potential Management Options to Slow the Spread of Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) Populations in Localized Outlier Sites." Canadian Journal Forestry Research. 41: 254-264.


Initially, I thought this article might reside outside the scope of my paper. But leading researcher McCullough took part, and it mentioned outlier sites, so I requested it through our interlibrary loan. 


It wasn't until three days later, as I walked with my dog under the branches of ash trees, that I realized the full implication. Mankato itself is an "outlier site"! 


Let me explain further. Imagine the invasion of a new pest is a giant, slow-moving storm cloud. Everyone can see it coming, inching along slowly and leaving destruction in it's wake. But the most significant portion of this storm is the front. Massive and black, foreshadowing a cold rain. This is the outlier portion. First a few drops are felt, the wind keeps still save for one or two gusts. 


Only after the front passes is the storm truly upon the community.


Right now, Mankato is about to be an outlier site. The bug is two hours north and two hours east. It's a matter of time before it becomes one. So how should the city prepare? This article examines different possibilities regarding the management.


The clear winner is imidicloprid, the pesticide. Using this curbed the spread and infestation the most. 


The implication are big for the pesticide industry. Also for communities who harbor concerns regarding such use. The University of Minnesota put out a great document addressing those concerns. Does the pesticide harm other insects or birds? They conclude that it does not. But in an honest assessment, they mention how harmful it can be to groundwater and honeybees. The bees won't get the insecticide from the tree, but if the area around the tree is injected, and there are flowers in that area, then the bees could be killed.

Article: EAB Update in the Local Paper

DeWitte, Diane K. 2011. "A Destructive Pest: An Update on the Emerald Ash Borer." The Mankato Free Press. November 30.


Last month, as I worked for complete my prospectus for this class, I found an article in the local paper, The Mankato Free Press. Written by a U of M Extension educator, Diane K. DeWitte, the article provides the area with an update on what the ash borer is, what threat it presents, and what can be done to prevent it from moving. She mentions the reason for the update: the upcoming 10 year anniversary of EAB's discovery in Michigan in 2002.
She provides a timeline of EAB in Minnesota, from its discovery in Ramsey County in 2009, then Hennepin County and Houston County, and two years later another in Ramsey and more in Houston and the city of Winona.


To protect homeowner trees, DeWitte mentions the usual scouting for "D" shaped holes and woodpecker activity. She also states that insecticide should not be applied if the tree is "out of the likely range of emerald ash borer," and that "unnecessary insecticide application is a waste of money." Ashes are only at risk, she says, if EAB is found within a 10-15 mile radius. Probably due to limited word count for the article, she provides an excellent short synopsis of the EAB life cycle. 


This article was easy to understand for anyone interested in trees. It appeared on the front page of the Home and Garden section with three large, color images. The only downside is that it has no local angle, no opportunity for readers in Mankato to connect in a local way with the author.


I want to follow up with these three things mentioned at the end of the article:

1. There are three wasps being studied by the department of agriculture. What are they?
2. There are new requirements for heat-treating wooden shipping pallets. What are those requirements?
3. The Minnesota Tree Care Advisors will put out a communication plan in 2012. What will it be and who are those advisors?

Presentation of Research

Will a tree that currently lines thousands of boulevards in the United States become extinct in the near future? Minnesota’s green ash (fraxinus Pennslyvanica), white ash, (fraxinus americana), and the black ash (fraxinus nigra) face a dire future because of an invasive species new to the United States (O’Brian and Suszkiw 2011, 18; Wang et al. 2011, 1). The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) Fairmaire (EAB), a green beetle about the size of a nickel, has yet to be stopped since its uninvited entrance on shipping material in Detroit, Michigan in 2002 (O’Brien and Suszkiw 2011, 18-19; Dunbar 2011).

While all states have much to lose to the spread of EAB, Maine and Minnesota have the largest population of ash trees within their respective borders (MNDNR 2007). To slow the spread of the pest, many Minnesotan government agencies joined together to create an EAB task force (USDA 2008; MNDNR 2007). By the time EAB made it across the Mississippi river and into Minnesota (Schuldt 2010), several other states struggled to deal with the situation. Although all eastern and midwestern states will lose trees and money in this battle (Kovacs et al. 2010, 575; H.R. 3901), some suggest that Minnesotans maintain a stronger emotional connection with their landscape, especially their trees (Atkins 2007, 1-9). As a result, they may be more willing to engage with government agencies to protect the larger ash canopy in the state.

But many questions remain. My main question is this: How can agencies and communities effectively communicate about environmental risks? And to what extent are communities involved in the engagement process? Also, what pitfalls prevent agencies from reaching or engaging with their audiences?  To better understand the public level of environmental stewardship and awareness of invasive species (and resulting pesticide treatments), I am studying rural agency-community relationships in environments susceptible to invasive species. In doing so, I hope to find information applicable to other states as they work to effectively engage community participation in invasive species quarantine and eradication. 

Please view the video below to get a glimpse into some of my research on this subject.

Article: Insect Invasions and Management

Brockerhoff, Eckehard G., Andrew M. Liebhold, and Herve Jactel. 2006. "The ecology of forest insect invasions and advances in their management." Canadian Journal of Forestry Research. Vol. 36. 2006. 263-268.


The authors wrote this paper to "enhance the sharing of information" between scientists studying invasive species management (Brockerhoff 2006, 263). It was originally presented at the International Union of Forest Research Organizations Conference on Forest Diversity and Resistance to Native and Exotic Pest Insects in New Zealand. 


I found this paper to be a good culmination of four specific areas of research. The theme of management relates to my research because management demonstrates the need for agencies to present consistent information internally and to the public. Management cannot progress on this issue without consistent information.


The authors, from New Zealand, Morgantown, WV, and France, respectively, share information about four subjects relevant to invasive species management

1. The role of global trade; 
2. biogeographical effects; 
3. biodiversity; 
4. and advances in "detection, monitoring, and management of invasive species and native pests" (264).

Although this report mentions several different insects, the authors describe the emerald ash borer along with the Asian long horned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, the great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans, and the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens, as cases receiving "much attention because they represent a significant threat to the health of forests and urban trees" (264). They cite an early study done by Haack et al. in 2002, which I will read soon. The rest of the report maintains a macro-view to all the problems of invasive species.


The research done on the role of global trade in invasive species movement shows a need for government action. Studies prove a relationship between "interception frequency and probability of establishment" (264). It also shows a need for more research from the agencies responsible for inspecting shipping containers (264).


Biogeography is the study of plant distribution, such as how forests move over time, and where nurseries develop new plant stocks. Phylogeny deals with the development and diversification of different animals or insects. These two areas of study interweave when researching pests in forests. Research has found that invasive bugs spread for these three reasons:

1. The plants lack a natural defense;
2. few or no natural enemies exist;
3. few or no natural competitors exist (265).

However, the factors leading to the phylogenic introduction of the invasive species can be complex and closely related to the movement of plant species by human benefactors. The authors note, "a reliance on exotic trees in forestry increases the need to exclude pest introductions" (265). 

I imagine this can be a revolving problem. Invasive species prey on native trees and kill them, so new species are introduced, but with them come other invasive species. I'll bet large nurseries have to tackle this problem every year.

Although I have always heard that diversified forests (and urban forests) are less susceptible to invasive species, the authors show that only some research finds this to be true. In other research (from Jactel et al. 2005), some "mixed forests have greater levels of attack than forests with less tree species richness" (265). However, they don't offer too many citations for this information. They agree that many cases exist showing the opposite. In the end, they call for more research (266).

DNA testing and pheromone traps provide two new methods for detecting invasive species. The DNA testing showed 100 percent accuracy in tests (Ball and Armstrong 2006)! Inspectors can sample any part of insect or larvae to find a match and identify a pest. However, a full database needs establishing first. This could be a "standardized tool for biosecurity managers around the world" (266). Pheromone traps prove successful, but studies have shown need for caution when interpreting the data because the number caught does not always relate to the population quantity in the area (Bentz 2006). Other control studies include the simple introduction of a native predator or fungus and confusing the pests by spraying sex pheromones (266).

The authors do note that an "eradication campaign" was "successful" in com patting two pests in New Zealand. The campaign incorporated trapping, spraying a fungus, and releasing sterilized males (267). I wonder what they mean by successful though. Is it a manageable amount of pests or did they eradicate them?

The authors conclude by noting these three things:

1. Invasions will only increase with increased trade;
2. Increased communication will be needed between agencies and scientists; 
3. While some programs to decrease established pests can work, the "primary goal" should be a reduction of the pests becoming established in non-native environments (267). In other words, stop them on the ships!

Other Works Cited

Ball and Armstrong. 2006. "A universal DNA-based identification system for insect pests: a test case with the Lymantriidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Journal of Forestry Research.

Bentz. 2006. "Mountain Pine Beetle population sampling: inferences from Lindgren pheromone traps and tree emergence cages." Canadian Journal of Forestry Research.

Other Work to Explore

Hacket et al. "The emerald ash borer: a new exotic forest pest in North America. Newsletter. Michigan Entomology Society (47)

Government Doc: H.R. 3901

H.R. 3901. Bill from the House of Representatives. "Emerald Ash Borer Municipality Assistance Act of 2007."110th Congress. 1st Session. 18 October 2007.

Article: War

O'Brien, D., & Suszkiw, J. (2011). Waging war on a voracious pest: Efforts to contain the emerald ash borer.Agricultural Research, 59(4), 18-18-21. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.mnsu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/863358319?accountid=12259

Abstract: Canadian Policies on EAB

Marchant, Kenneth R. "Managing the Emerald Ash Borer in Canada."  Abstract. "Emerald Ash Borer Research and Development Meeting; October 23-24, 2007; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania." Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. April 2008. 

Understanding the differences between Canada's handling of the invasive species and the United States position can be difficult. I can recall hearing grumblings from different arborists about the less intensive pest-management plans in Canada. I found an abstract by Kenneth Marchant, about Canada's policies regarding EAB. The abstract says "tree removal at and around infested outliers ... has been discontinued other than for research purposes" (2).

This contrasts strongly with Minnesota's management policy to cut down trees even before the bug is verified in certain areas of St. Paul. They probably mention this because of the advanced state of infestation in Ontario, but I can't imagine it works the same near Sault Ste. Marie.

In relation to communication with the public, Marchant's abstract describes a "slow-the-spread strategy for EAB" as described in a management plan. The strategy involves these two types of quarantines:

1. the federal labeling of a county as infested, or
2. a legal notice to property owners within a 5-km radius of a positive detection. 

It continues, "Both methods of quarantine may be in place in the same area concurrently where it is deemed desirable to slow intra-county spread" (8). I'm not certain just what the owners are required to do (if anything) after given a notice.

Graphic: Ash Tree Quantity in Great Lakes States

This graphic by Kevin Hall displays the quantity of ash by county across the northeastern and north central United States. With a quick glance, the readers establish a high concentration of ash in Minnesota, New York, and Maine. 

While the graphic makes it appear Minnesota has the highest concentration, this is only because of the larger counties (St. Louis County is one of the largest in the nation). Maine has the largest concentration of ash trees in the United States.

The small grey lines show the general quarantine of the Twin Cities, which is now a general infestestion. 

 Hall, Kevin G. Star Tribune. 2 June 2009

Article: Government's Plan

USDA–APHIS. 2008. New Pest Response Guidelines for the Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis (Fairmaire) USDA–APHIS–PPQ–Emergency and Domestic Programs–Emergency Planning, Riverdale, Maryland. 

This government document is slightly old, but outlines an intrepid response for communities who have found EAB in their borders. This plan covers several areas of information, as many government documents tend to do. However, it maintains a basic English style, and communicates effectively.

It provides information on the following areas:

• Pest information
• Identification
• Response Procedures
• Survey Procedures
• Regulatory Procedures
• Management Procedures
• Environmental Compliance
• Public Outreach

Since I was interested in the communication aspect of it, I paid special attention to the section on public outreach. The document states that it "is never too early to begin the education and outreach process." Also, they show the chain of command, directing others to report to the EAB's Legislative and Public Affairs specialist for materials. It appears the USDA is attempting to have everyone on the same page by issuing public-related documents through the LPA. They also cover the following communications topics:

• General Outreach Objectives  (consistent message by creating a core communication group with people from several different areas of government)
• General Outreach Activities and Initiatives  (maintain websites, hotlines, media reps, civil reps)
• Outreach Material (available through the EAB Legislative and Public Affairs specialist)

Article: Previous Research on the Pest

Wang, Xiao-Yi, Zhong-Qi Yang, Juli R. Gould, Yi-Nan Zhang, Gui-Jun Liu, and EnShan Liu. “The Biology and Ecology of the Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis, in China.” Journal of Insect Science 10.128 (2010): 1-23. Web. 10 Mar. 2011 

In the similar environment on the other side of the world, scientists in China recognized a potential problem in the 1960s. In Northeastern China, many non-native ash trees (from the United States) were planted. The trees were similar to other ashes in Asia, and were planted widely in residential areas. Soon after, however, outbreaks of EAB followed. Little was known about the insect because most of its life cycle was hidden under the tree’s bark. EAB remained “only sometimes an important pest in certain areas in China,” and didn’t pose a large-scale threat (Wang 2).

The hidden life cycle of the EAB was studied by Chinese entomologists Xiao-Yi Wang, Zhong-Qi Yang, Juli R. Gould, Yi-Nan Zhang, Gui-Jun Liu, and EnShan Liu in Journal of Insect Science article, “The Biology and Ecology of the Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis, in China.” They conducted a study on the velvet ash in Guangang Forest Park, Dagang District, Tianjin Municipality, China, where “most forests are monoculture ash plantings” (2).

They found that the beginning of the problem was the most difficult to detect.

There were rarely any clear symptoms on the surface of the bark during the initial infestation … It was more difficult to detect an early stage of infestation for those trees with rough or thick bark (6).

But once EAB has entered a tree, the tree’s life span is cut short. To study these life cycles, Wang al. et. cut down infected trees and studied them in two environments, the laboratory (where each pair of EAB were caged with a log) and in the outdoor environment. They cut the logs and sealed the ends with wax (so the bugs had to enter through the bark). 

Wang al. et. report that EAB deposit eggs under the bark and upon hatching from the egg, the larvae burrow deeper into the bark and into the cambium, then into the xylem for hibernation around the beginning or middle of September. From June to April they are in larval stage, around 300 days. They become pupae stage and eat through the cambium for 20 days to emerge in May (in China). After a week, they mate, lay eggs and die (Wang 3-18).

Narrative: Finding the Beast

When I made it to the shop on the day in early April 2009, my fellow coworkers were shouting out the news.

“It is here! The bug has landed and it is going to change everything!”

I rushed to tell them I had seen the news the night before, when the Minnesota Department of Agriculture confirmed Emerald Ash Borer’s presence in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. One of our own co-workers at Rainbow Treecare, a recently hired lanky sales arborist, found the infestation. On the news he stood near a 40-foot green ash, grinning wildly, telling the reporter how he looked closer at the boulevard trees after he responded to a homeowner’s request to examine a backyard ash. 

The news cut to the confirmation by the Department of Agriculture’s spokesperson, a tall blond-haired man who couldn’t have been over 35 years old; he spoke soberly, but with a quickened pace, as if the bugs were spreading further even as he spoke.

Our crew of arborists we drove to ground zero after a short meeting at the shop. The infestation was right off University Avenue in St. Paul, where several ash trees were partially debarked at eye level. It was early spring and silver maples had yet to break their buds. From the thin-tipped branches and deep gouges in the surface of exposed wood, we could tell the trees were toast.

The dime-sized bug currently threatens more than just the street in St. Paul. An army of them will soon be attacking Minnesota’s urban and wild forests. The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) Fairmaire (EAB), a flying insect with emerald-colored wings from northern China, was first found in the United States in 2002.

In the short time of nine years, the EAB has posed a threat to much of northeastern North America. To slow the progression of the but, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) already imposed a quarantine on ash wood from the following states: Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Kentucky (emeraldashborer.info).

EAB feeds on ash trees, specifically green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Because Minnesota is home to more ash trees than any other state in the US (besides Maine), the potential loss of forest canopy has both environmental organizations and forestry companies concerned. Many companies have come forward with suggestions to save the urban canopies in Minnesota since infestation was found in 2009 (in two separate places—St. Paul and a small town right near the Mississippi River). But the response to chemical injections and sprays is less favored than some possible biological alternatives suggested by the DOA and other environmental organizations.

Article: Information Distributing Software

Medjahed, Brahim, and William Grosky. "Sentinel: Intelligent Information Sharing for Controlling the Emerald Ash Borer Threat."


I found an article from Michigan researchers that deals with the distribution of information. These researchers answer questions relating to how information is shared between all the communities that need to know. They create two extensive charts illustrating the flow of information and the groups concerned with the information. The article is short, but valuable for me. I wonder if the government decided to incorporate this suggestion. The software the authors are promoting is called "Sentinel." It's weird to have authors promoting their software in a journal, but I guess there isn't anything else similar to it.

Webpage: Emerald Ash Borer's Homepage

Here's an image from the main information portal about this bug. Emeraldashborer.info maintains a strong collaborated mass of information, providing up-to-date maps, links, and details about the infestations and the movement of this little guy. If it could create a PR website for itself, this would be it. Many of the state and federal websites link to it. If you conduct a Google search for "EAB" this will always be the first hit.


The site was created at ground zero for the little beetle, Michigan. The large Michigan State University joined forces with the USDA Forest Service, Purdue University, and Ohio State University to populate the site with the best and most recent information possible. The site is funded by the Forest Service and "administered through MSU," although I'm not sure what that means. I think they're telling readers that MSU hosts the servers and posts the information. 

My big question research question is this: Is this research needed? If the DNR already does usability test through a professional PR company, what am I going to find that changes the way things are done? Ah well, until a better idea comes through, I better keep on the issue. 

emeraldashborer.info

Narrative: The Start of a Crisis, Crossing the Mississippi

In early April, 2009, officials confirmed some bad news for Minnesota's ash trees. The news originated in Victory, Wisconsin, just across the Mississippi River from Minnesota's Houston County. 


A stand of ash trees in Victory were dying for no apparent reason. When inspected, thousands of little tunnels were revealed under the bark of the trees. These tunnels signaled a new turn of events in the battle for many forests and urban trees near the Mississippi River.


Many small green bugs created the tunnels. As they grew from a larvae stage, the bugs chewed through the phloem, the life-veins of the trees, and emerged out of the bark as full-grown flying beetles with brilliant green wings.  During their short life span they mate and burrow back into the bark to reproduce and die. 


But while their life cycle continues, the tree they call home slowly withers, unable to get the resources needed through its phloem. Within a three years, its foliage is completely gone and its bark, dry and brittle, peels off.


So for Houston County, bordered by Iowa to the south and the Mississippi River to the east, trouble was at the doorstep. Reporters carried the broadcast to every major city in the state. People hundreds of miles north, in Ely, Grand Marais, International Falls, winced at the news. The Emerald Ash Borer had nearly arrived.


The Minnesota Department of Agriculture moved quickly to carry the messages about not moving firewood, and they set a quarantine on any logging or movement of hardwoods in Houston county. County meetings were called and the MDA discussed their future plans to search for the bug in the vicinity. But it took another full year until infected ash trees were found in the county. The MDA gave confirmation of the infestation on April 29th, 2010. 


By then, the flying bug already migrated 175 miles northwest—to the Twin Cities. 




“Forest Protection Reserve Appropriation.” Minnesota Department of Agriculture. 15 Oct. 2009. PDF. <http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/government/~/media/Files/news/govrelations/fpr-firstquarter2010.ashx>

“MDA Confirms Emerald Ash Borer Infestation In Houston County.” MDA.state.mn.us. Minnesota Department of Agriculture. 29 April 2010. Web. 26 Sept. 2011.

The Question, Whittled Down One Word at a Time

I am studying how cities communicate the human intervention needed to slow the spread of invasive species because I want to find out how to influence people's actions when the environment is in danger in order to help my reader understand how to communicate environmental concerns most effectively.

Is this a practical problem or a conceptual problem? I consider it a practical problem, because we could solve it by doing something: communicating more effectively.

The problem is humans spread emerald ash borer unwittingly. The condition is the bugs will eat many more trees. The cost is many ash trees will die.

The bugs will eat many trees. So what? The death of trees causes us to lose shade, land value, aesthetic appeal, oxygen (at a macro level), and lots of money (because they must be removed).

If it was conceptual, I could say I am studying the communication methods of public offices to the public, because I want to understand what motivates the public to act in ways that serve the interest of the environment. In order to help readers understand how to better communicate to the public.

Either way, I think this falls into the category of applied research.

Formulating the entire question would look like this:

• Topic: I am studying how to most effectively communicate the human intervention needed to slow the spread of invasive species;
• Research Question: because I want to find out how to influence people's actions when the environment is in danger;
• Potential Practical Significance: in order to help my reader understand how to effectively communicate environmental concerns.

I'm not stating who communicates though. My topic should be more specific. I can't study all the communication out there in regard to this. But I could narrow it down by state. Even then, there will be too much information to look at. Maybe I could narrow it down again and study only printed documents or web sites. Let me try the topic again:

• Topic: I am studying how the state of Minnesota communicates (with printed documents) human intervention needed to slow the spread of invasive species.

This would narrow down my search for sure. How many notices or ads has the government put out? They have probably worked with a public relations company. And aren't public relations companies doing their own research on something before they release it? I imagine their ads and fliers when through several focus groups. Maybe I'm over thinking it, but maybe I should have something to compare all this to. For instance, another state? And maybe the human intervention piece should come later. Let me try the topic one more time:

• Topic: I am studying the difference between the effectiveness of printed communication methods between the states of Minnesota and Ohio in regard to the spread of the invasive species, the Emerald Ash Borer.

Hey now ... that's pretty specific. I can see this as a possibility as well. It sure doesn't seem as interesting as studying the web documents though ... well, I'll plow on and see how it changes the rest of the question. 

• Topic: I am studying the difference between the effectiveness of printed communication methods between the states of Minnesota and Ohio in regard to the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer,
• Research Question: because I want to find out how states can communicate better when the population's environment is at stake;
• Potential Practical Significance: in order to help other states present the most effective communicate methods in regard to human intervention of environmental concerns.

Okay. I'm feeling a little better. Although ... I may have difficulty accessing all the printed documents of this type. But I do have immediate access to the websites. And I do have measures to gauge effectiveness of a website from Jakob Nielson and others who have studied website usability. I could follow their lead and look at two main state sites, or even two cities' sites. Let me try one more time, again:

• Topic: I am studying the difference between the effectiveness of website communication between the states of Minnesota and Ohio in regard to the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer,
• Research Question: because I want to find out how states can communicate better in an online environment when the population's environment is at stake;
• Potential Practical Significance: in order to help other states present the most effective communicate methods online in regard to human intervention of environmental concerns.

That allows me to study the sites immediately and not have to wait for printed documents to arrive. I'll visit them now.

The first site that comes up is the joint national site emeraldashborerinfo.net. I'm looking for a state specific site. The MNDNR has one:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialanimals/eab/index.html

So does the U of M Extension:

http://www.extension.umn.edu/issues/eab/

And so does the MDA:

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/eab

Okay, now let's check Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Ag has one:

http://www.agri.ohio.gov/eab/

The Ohio University Extension has one:

http://ashalert.osu.edu/

And the Ohio DNR has one:

http://www.ohiodnr.com/tabid/5066/default.aspx

Wow! Three parallel sites! Perfect. 

Now, where to start. ... Well, I should start by finding some measure by which to gauge the effectiveness of a website whose purpose is to inform and act (or not act—if someone were moving wood). Then I could apply the measure to the websites, create tables to show which sites are meeting certain requirements that studies prove effective. 

I could do quantitative research as well by getting students to study the sites and gauge their effectiveness in several categories. One could be finding information about saving their ash tree. It could be timed, and a quiz could gauge amount of information gathered after the effect. Maybe I'm getting somewhere now.

To recap, I'll state my newly formed research question:

• Topic: I am studying the difference between the effectiveness six different Emerald Ash Borer websites from Minnesota and Ohio,
• Research Question: because I want to find out how states can communicate better in an online environment when the population's environment is at stake;
• Potential Practical Significance: in order to help other states present the most effective communicate methods online in regard to human intervention of environmental concerns.