Southern hemisphere exotic pine plantations threatened by insect pests and their associated fungal pathogens

Abstract

Plantation forestry based on non-native tree species in the southern hemisphere expanded rapidly during the latter part of the 20th Century. These plantations now cover many millions of hectares, mainly of Pinus and Eucalyptus and to a lesser extent Acacia species in countries of South America, Africa and Australasia. They represent a major industrial resource, in many cases contributing substantially to local economies through trade in solid timber and pulp products. In addition, nonnative plantation forestry has provided local sources of timber products, in some cases alleviating the need to utilize native forest resources. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008.