Saving the Oh

The Problem

As the challenge conservation x states, two newly discovered invasive fungal pathogens are killing hundreds of thousands of ʻŌhiʻa trees (Metrosideros polymorpha) on Hawaii island. Hundreds of thousands of trees have been wiped out by the fungi, which chokes the water veins within the tree until the tree withers and dies.

Our Proposal

The best solution is finding the ROD fungus before it kills the Ohi'a tree. Since the tree does not show any symptom when it is infected, we have to figure out a way to know our self. One way of knowing the symptom is by understanding how the fugues attack the tree. Since the fungus chokes the water veins within the tree until the tree withers and dies, it is obvious that water content at its root and tip of the tree or at the leaves will not be the same. So, Ohi'a trees which have been infected by Ceratosistis huliohia and Ceratocystis lukuohIa lucks water at the branch or top part of the tree. We can find this low water content by moisture meter which is simply by measuring the electrical resistance between two electrodes in other words wood that is becoming dryer will resist electrical flow. Since the weather is wet in Hawaii and water shortage is no problem, when an infected tree is found the only reason that is tip or body has low moisture will be the fungus. By doing or measuring statistics on how much moisture have the average tree have on all seasons we can determine the range of moisture it should have in every season. Then when the test is done and it is low we get our symptom for the fungus. To avoid making a hole every time we measure, we use permanent small electrodes are inserted into the tree and measure electrical flow.

We Assume that...

I am assuming that the since the weather condition is wet, water shortage at the tip or body of the tree is only caused by the fugues.

Constraints to Overcome

The current method of detection of the ROD fungi involves sample collection over challenging and rugged terrain and then lab analysis. This takes too much time and effort and then after the analysis, the ROD fungus might not be found. This project solves these problems because it tells us from which tree to take samples, which tree needs supervision and possible diagnosis of the tree before the lab report. Meaning, a tree which has lower moisture reading is likely lucking water in its body which implies exposure to the ROD fungi. This indication can speed up the detection of the ROD fungus. Currently, the total average cost per tree is 57.00 USD. If we test 100 trees to collect samples from all the 100 trees and test it in the lab, the total average cost per 100 trees becomes 5,700.00 USD. Keep in mind that the lab test may show that 1 tree have ROD fungi if not any. This project tells us from which tree to take samples saving about 5,640.00 USD at best in this scenario.

Current Work

This solution is very tangible and realistic because it connects two known and proved science facts together in a very simple way. According to references like I mentioned above, the moisture content of healthy trees and dying trees vary. It is a known fact that moisture meter can detect the amount of water in the wood. So, combining those will create a new method to prevent the ROD fungus enters into the tree. There will not be a negative impact on the tree caused by the solution. The solution can be used at any time the client wishes to use or test because there are many kinds of moisture meter in the market. All required is testing the device in a healthy tree and infect the tree with the ROD. If there is a difference in the reading of the moisture meter, we have our successful prototype.

Current Needs

I need funding to build the prototype and test it.