The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has published a guidebook to help countries stop forest-damaging pests from spreading into new areas.
U.N. Helps Nations Stop Spread of Invasive Pests
The FAO estimates that about 135,136 square miles of forest are damaged by outbreaks of forest pests each year. Along with globalization, global warming is helping pests reach new areas.
"Due to climate change, previously inhospitable sites can become suitable for 'alien' pests that are accidentally transported through international trade in wood products, seeds or nursery plants, as well as trade in other commodities packaged with wood materials," said Eduardo Rojas-Briales, FAO's assistant director-general for forestry.
"Increases in summer temperature generally accelerate the reproductive capacity of insects, while warmer winter temperatures improve their chances of surviving winters," according to an FAO release. Specifically, the U.N. points to the example of the mountain pine beetle of western Canada, where successive mild winters have boosted the beetle's survival rate. What's more, the region's drought conditions are weakening pine stands, increasing their susceptibility to beetle infestations.
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