Oak woodlands support higher levels of biodiversity than any
other terrestrial ecosystem in California (47). Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) is a common evergreen tree that dominates oak
woodlands throughout western North America, from Mendocino
County, CA to Baja California, Mexico (40). In addition to providing important habitats for wildlife, coast live oak is frequently used
throughout the United States for landscaping purposes (41). For
these reasons, susceptibilityof coast live oak to biotic factors that
cause or contribute to tree mortality is a great concern.