Increasing forest loss worldwide from invasive pests requires new trade regulations

Loss of forests due to non-native invasive pests (including insects, nematodes, and pathogens) is a global phenomenon with profound population, community, ecosystem, and economic impacts. We review the magnitude of pest-associated forest loss worldwide and discuss the major ecological and evolutiona...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in ecology and the environment 2014-10, Vol.12 (8), p.457-465
Main Authors: Roy, Bitty A, Alexander, Helen M, Davidson, Jennifer, Campbell, Faith T, Burdon, Jeremy J, Sniezko, Richard, Brasier, Clive
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
data collection
Ecological invasion
economic impact
ecosystems
Forest ecology
Forest ecosystems
Forest pests
forests
gross domestic product
insects
invasive species
Nematoda
Pathogens
Pests
Pine trees
Plant products
Plants
REVIEWS
trade
trade regulations
Trees
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Loss of forests due to non-native invasive pests (including insects, nematodes, and pathogens) is a global phenomenon with profound population, community, ecosystem, and economic impacts. We review the magnitude of pest-associated forest loss worldwide and discuss the major ecological and evolutionary causes and consequences of these invasions. After compiling and analyzing a dataset of pest invasions from 21 countries, we show that the number of forest pest invasions recorded for a given country has a significant positive relationship with trade (as indicated by gross domestic product) and is not associated with the amount of forested land within that country. We recommend revisions to existing international protocols for preventing pest entry and proliferation, including prohibiting shipments of non-essential plants and plant products unless quarantined. Because invasions often originate from taxa that are scientifically described only after their introduction, current phytosanitary regulations - which target specific, already named organisms - are ineffective.
ISSN:1540-9295
1540-9309
DOI:10.1890/130240