Forest Insect Invasions – Risk Mapping Approaches and Applications

Forested ecosystems across the globe face unprecedented threats from insect invasions that have lowered forest production potential, disrupted ecological processes, and reduced ecosystem services. Reducing these threats require novel risk mapping approaches that help answer questions about which species to survey for, where and when to survey, and how to analyze and interpret survey data. Ecological models, often combined with remote sensing data in a geographical information systems (GIS) framework, can help surveillance programs find infestations in their earliest stages of establishment, when they are most amenable to management. Amongst the ecological models, species distribution models (both mechanistic and correlative), phenology models, cellular automata models, agent-based models, artificial neural networks, Bayesian networks, regression models, fuzzy logic methods, dynamic energy models and game theory models are promising tools for pest risk assessment. Stand-alone GIS and remote sensing methods, such as those used in monitoring areas for infestations and identifying vulnerable forests, are also useful for decision support. Critically, knowledge gained from pest risk maps must be correctly used in the development of phytosanitary measures aiming to reduce the arrival and establishment of non-native insect species when trading live plants and forest products. The collection and application of science-based pest risk assessments will be critical in minimizing invasions of non-native insects in the face of changing climates and increasing international trade and globalization.

The goal of this special edition Research Topic is to bring together recent methodical advances in insect pest risk mapping in forest ecosystems and the use of risk maps in the development of measures to minimize new forest insect invasions.

Contributions are expected to be original research, synthesis or opinion articles focusing on theoretical development or application of tools such as ecological models, GIS and remote sensing toward understanding the patterns and processes of insect pests’ invasions for an improved pest risk mapping in forest ecosystems. Additionally, papers focused on applying risk mapping towards the development of phytosanitary measures or regulations in support of trade are invited. We hope that the collection of papers in this special edition will serve as a useful guide to a diverse audience including researchers, government agencies, and pest risk assessors.