California drought helps state save oak trees from deadly pathogen

California drought helps state save oak trees from deadly pathogen

As farmers abandon crops amid dust bowl conditions, scientists find ways to fighting contagious spores of 'sudden oak death'

Rory Carroll in Los Angeles
theguardian.com, Wednesday 25 June 2014 17.17 EDT

California's drought is worsening and turning farms to dust, but it is also helping to save oak trees from a deadly fungus and keep beaches clean from bacteria-saturated water.

The lack of rain has impeded a disease which kills the state's signature tree and reduced the amount of bacteria-laden water which contaminates the coast, according to reports this week.

The good news did not dispel alarm over the wider crisis. Almost 33% of California is now suffering “exceptional” drought, the highest category, according to the US Drought Monitor. Everywhere else is enduring “severe” conditions.

Prices of fresh fruits and vegetables across the US will rise an estimated 6% in coming months, according to the Department of Agriculture. Avocados, berries, broccoli, grapes, lettuce, melons, peppers, tomatoes and packaged salads are expected to be especially hit.

More:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jun/25/california-drought-sudden-oak-death-save-trees-infected