Pathogens in tropical forests: diversity and management

Publication date: 26/10/2020
Extent: 28 pages

Contributions by: Steve Woodward, University of Aberdeen, UK; and H. Tuğba Doğmuş, Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Turkey

Chapter synopsis: Plants in tropical forests are subject to attack by a wide range of pathogenic organisms, including fungi, bacteria, viruses and parasitic plants, which reduce productivity. In natural forests, pathogens are normal components, arguably driving evolution through attacking susceptible individual trees, such that the following generations of plants are from more resistant parents. When serious abiotic problems arise, however, which may be natural or anthropogenically-induced, pathogens may cause very serious problems in forest ecosystems. Moreover, plantation forests tend to be more damaged by pathogens, particularly by alien invasive pathogens. In this chapter, the range of disease types affecting tropical forests is reviewed, using many individual pathogens as examples. The range of measures that can be used in managing pathogen problems in forestry is examined, taking into consideration pros and cons of each method.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2020.0074.35