Dr. Sarah Green BSc, PhD

Forest Pathologist

Research Focus

Distribution, diagnostics and biology of tree-infecting Phytophthoras in Britain and evidence for natural resistance in host populations.  Diversity of Phytophthoras in soils in key environments using metabarcoding, qPCR and other tools, and analyses of risks posed to forests and woodland ecosystems by new and exotic species. Genetic mechanisms by which pathogens evolve to infect woody hosts. Tree disease diagnosis for amenity and forestry trees. Advice on management of tree health problems

Scientific Activities

Responsible for management of the Forest Research Northern Research Station's (NRS) pathology laboratory, and for developing and carrying out research projects to address important tree health problems in UK forests, focusing on oomycete, fungal and bacterial diseases. Leads the FR Research Programme ‘Understanding Biotic Threats’. This programme aims to increase our understanding of forest resilience to pests and pathogens and to mitigate risk of future outbreaks by;

• Investigating how environmental factors influence pest and pathogen behaviour

• Examining the evidence for natural resistance in UK tree populations

• Identifying key future threats and promoting preparedness for them

• Investigating methods for improved surveillance and detection

Significant Publications

Nowell, R.W., Sharp, P.M., Laue, B.E., Green, S. (2016). Population genomics of adaptation to woody hosts in Pseudomonas syringae. Molecular Plant Pathology (accepted subject to final revision).

Elliot, M., Schlenzig, A.,Harris, C.M., Meagher, T.R., Green, S. (2015). An improved method for the qPCR detection of three Phytophthora spp. in forest and woodland soils in northern Britain. Forest Pathology 45, 537-539.

Green, S., Elliot, M., Armstrong, A., Hendry, S.J. (2015). Phytophthora austrocedrae emerges as a serious threat to juniper (Juniperus communis) in Britain. Plant Pathology 64, 456-466.

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Collaborators