7.02.09 - Phytophthora diseases on forest trees

UNIT NOTICEBOARD

2023-06-29

Mark your calendars!

11th Meeting of the IUFRO Working Party 7.02.09: Phytophthora in Forests and Natural Ecosystems
Paihia, New Zealand; 8-13 September 2024

Forests and natural ecosystems provide critical ecosystem, cultural and economic services worldwide. Foundational plants within these systems are increasingly challenged by emergent invasive biotic threats due to climatic and anthropogenic driven change and increasing movement of people and goods across biogeographic zones. Phytophthora pathogens are one key group of invasive plant pathogens that are having a disproportionate impact on forests and native ecosystems internationally, with devastating consequences for the forest ecology, culture and economies.

With climate change, Aotearoa/New Zealand is seeing a range of impacts from well-established and emergent Phytophthora pathogens. Since the 2000s the recognition of Phytophthora agathidicida as the primary causal agent of kauri dieback has seen focus shift back to the role these introduced pathogens are having within our natural ecosystems. In parallel, the introduction and establishment of Phytophthora pluvialis has seen red needle cast establish as a widespread needle disease of radiata pine, the predominant commercial forestry species in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s response to pathogens impacting forests and natural ecosystems is uniquely shaped by the inclusion of kaitiaki (Māori guardians), recognition of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and the adoption of the principles and practices of Māori kaitiakitanga (guardianship). The use of Māori knowledge in New Zealand forest conservation has a key role in shaping the longer-term strategic goals of research, policy and the operationalisation of Māori-led management and research priorities in forest health. This conference will showcase several research partnerships and the operational work happening in the forest in response to the growing body of knowledge and understanding of the impacts these pathogens are having in New Zealand’s unique forest systems.

This conference will provide the ideal forum for updating knowledge, evidence, solutions and failures between scientific, academic and practical approaches. It is also an opportunity to enhance the dialogue of long experienced expertise with the new generations of scientists, which will provide creative and new solutions in the near future.

Details:  https://www.scienceevents.co.nz/iufro2024/

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Coordinator:

Nari Williams, New Zealand

Deputies:

Matteo Garbelotto, United States

Thomas Jung, Czech Republic

Jared LeBoldus, United States

Andrea Vannini, Italy

State of Knowledge

Knowlegde of the field is summarized in the proceedings of previous meetings of the Units:

  • 2007 MONTEREY, USA
    Proceedings: Goheen, E.M.; Frankel, S.J., tech. coords. 2009.  Phytophthoras in Forests and Natural Ecosystems. Proceedings of the Fourth Meeting of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Working Party 07.02.09. August 26-31, 2007, Monterey, CA.  Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-221. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 334 p.
  • 2004 FREISING GERMANY
    Progress in Research on Phytophthora Diseases of Forest Trees, Tree Health Division, Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH, UK
  • 1999 GRANTS PASS OREGON
    Phytophthora Diseases of Forest Trees. Proceedings of the "First International Meeting on Phytophthora's in Forest and Wildland Ecosystems" (Hansen, EM and Sutton, W, eds) 30th Aug. - 3rd Sept. 1999, Grants Pass, Oregon. Proceedings