Pesty stowaways

Lovett, G.M., Weiss, M., Liebhold, A.M., Holmes, T.P., Leung, B., Lambert, K.F., Orwig, D.A., Campbell, F.T., Rosenthal, J., McCullough, D.G., Wildova, R., Ayres, M.P., Canham, C.D., Foster, D.R., LaDeau, S.L. and Weldy, T. (2016), Nonnative forest insects and pathogens in the United States: Impacts and policy options. Ecol Appl, 26: 1437-1455. https://doi.org/10.1890/15-1176

Summary

Nonnative forest insects and diseases cause great ecological and economic damage in the US, especially in the Northeast. These pests decimate tree populations, resulting in diminished biodiversity and habitat, the loss of benefits that trees provide in urban and suburban areas, and altered nutrient cycling. Economic damage caused by nonnative insects costs billions of dollars to forest stakeholders, government municipalities, and residential property owners. These pests are mainly transported through live plant imports (e.g. ornamental plants) and wood packaging such as the wood pallets for containerized shipping. If global trade continues without further consideration of forest pests, pests will continue to be transported across the globe and cause immense damage in their introduced locations. Currently, there are many preventative measures in place to curb the introduction of new pests, but they are not completely successful. With additional funding, existing regulations could be improved by ensuring visual inspection, tightening restrictions, and increasing enforcement and penalties for violations. Additionally, switching to non-solid-wood packaging and further restricting live plant importation are new actions that can help stem the increasing tide of insect and disease introductions. Creating a national comprehensive, centralized network of information, surveillance, and oversight would also be beneficial. Lastly, improving training for key groups (e.g., foresters, arborists, utility crews) and increasing public educational outreach at the local level would help managers and communities detect and combat nonnative pests.

Take home points

  • Nonnative forest insects and diseases can effectively eliminate entire tree species and cost forest stakeholders and landowners billions of dollars.

  • Global trade is the biggest factor in spreading nonnative pests to new countries.

  • Existing protocols and regulations need to be strengthened to create better preventive protection and surveillance of emerging threats.

5 policy actions suggested by the Tree-SMART Trade Initiative:

(https://www.caryinstitute.org/science/tree-smart-trade)

  • Switch to pest-free packaging materials for international shipments to the US.

  • Minimize new pest outbreaks by expanding early and rapid response programs.

  • Augment international pest prevention programs with key trade partners.

  • Restrict the importation of live plants in the same genera as native woody plants in the US.

  • Tighten enforcement of penalties for non-compliant shipments.

Keywords

Novel Introduction Pathways; Range Expansion; Invasive Invertebrate; Terrestrial Habitat; Policy; Review