[PDF] Ecological Methods in Forest Pest Management by David Wainhouse

Amajor theme throughout the book is that details of pest ecology and of forest ecology and management matter in the application of IPM. The general bias towards examples of IPM from north temperate forests largely reflects coverage in the literature. However the principles, and to a large extent the practice, are applicable worldwide. Books with a particular emphasis on tropical pests include Wagner et al. (1991) and Speight and Wylie (2001).

Forests in many countries have been altered by exploitation and management and by the increasing use of plantations of exotic species for wood production. The species composition, distribution and extent of forests and the way they are managed can have an important influence on the nature and severity of pest problems and these are considered in Chapter 1. The increasing use of plantations of non-native trees in different countries and the globalisation of trade have significantly increased the risk of introducing exotic pests. The devastating effects that such pests can have on these plantations has highlighted the importance of regulating international trade in plants and plant products, a subject considered in Chapter 2. Spatial and temporal variation in pest attack can occur on a local or regional scale. Differences in the age or species composition of forests or the direct effects of site and climate on both trees and pests can contribute to this variation and may be used in the development of indices of risk. Risk-rating of forests and monitoring of pest populations in those most at risk can provide an early warning of outbreaks. Chapter 3 explores such approaches to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of pest management in extensive forest areas.