23-12-2017, 09:08 AM
The predicted change in our climate is likely to inflict particular tensions on the trees and other plants that constitute urban and peri-urban greening schemes, and this may increase their susceptibility to certain pests and diseases. This review highlights the various ways in which climate change can affect the health of urban trees in Britain. In summary, climate change can alter disturbance patterns of pathogens and herbivorous insects through physiological changes in the host plant. The expected changes in the availability of temperature and humidity will also directly affect the development and survival of pests and pathogens, and their natural enemies, competitors and vectors. This can alter the impact of native pests and diseases and increase the populations of some species that are currently not recognized as pests at epidemic proportions. Perhaps most significantly, climate change is very likely to improve the suitability of our climate for a variety of non-native pests and pathogens, many of which are unknowingly introduced into infected planting material from new greening schemes. The global trade in 'plants for planting' is a recognized pathway for the accidental introduction of pests and pathogens, although there is legislation on plant health to minimize these accidental introductions.
