A new approach to stopping the spread of invasive insects and pathogens: early detection and rapid response via a global network of sentinel plantings

Abstract

The Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement of the World Trade Organisation specifies that countries cannot regulate against unknown pests, yet many alien invasive forest pests are unknown to science prior to discovery in a new land. Many of these pests are introduced via nursery stock, but lack of pest information makes this pathway difficult to mitigate. Botanic gardens and arboreta worldwide offer a unique opportunity to help detect potential invasive threats to forest health before they spread. Monitoring pests in gardens with international collections could inform prevention activities as well as help promote early detection and rapid response to new pest incursions. While recognising the inherent value of single countrypair studies currently ongoing, and the scientific integrity expected of resulting peer-reviewed publications, we believe opportunities for synergy across these efforts and for more immediate response to new host-pest associations should be explored. The strengths and weaknesses of various current approaches to sentinel plant monitoring are described, as well as a strategy for developing a worldwide network of gardens sharing information on pests that would extend the lessons learned and direct timely information to National Plant Protection Organisations to enhance protection of natural resources.

Citation

Britton, K.O.; White, P.; Kramer, A.; Hudler, G. 2010. A new approach to stopping the spread of invasive insects and pathogens: early detection and rapid response via a global network of sentinel plantings. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 40:109-114.