Organism
American Chestnut
TL;DR
Driven functionally extinct by chestnut blight (fungal disease) introduced to North America from Asia in early 1900s.
Driven functionally extinct by chestnut blight (fungal disease) introduced to North America from Asia in early 1900s. Formerly approximately 25% of eastern U.S. forests, now rare. Example of disease introduction causing extinction.
Notable Traits of American Chestnut
- Once 25% of eastern forests
- Functionally extinct from fungal blight