Biotic Factors Affecting Ecosystem Services in Urban and Peri-Urban Forests in Italy: The Role of Introduced and Impending Pathogens and Pests

Moricca, Salvatore; Bracalini, Matteo; Croci, Francesco; Corsinovi, Sara; Tiberi, Riziero; Ragazzi, A.; Panzavolta, Tiziana

doi:10.3390/f9020065

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Introduced from the United States to Europe (southern England) in 1957 (Crosse et al, 1958), this disease spread across the continent (France 1978, Switzerland 1989, Germany 1990, Yugoslavia 1990. It attacks woody Rosaceae and causes the withering and necrosis of shoots, flowers, leaves and fruit, as well as cankers on the branches (Moricca et al, 2018). Because of its sometimes epidemic extent, fire blight is dreaded among owners of orchards and is notifiable in several countries, for example, in the United Kingdom since November 1987(The Plant Health (Great Britain) Order 1987 and in Germany since June 1988 (Verordnung zur Bekämpfung der Feuerbrandkrankheit, 1985).…”

Section: Plant Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Flora of the British Isles: Crataegus monogyna

Fichtner

Wissemann

2021

Journal of Ecology

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This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Hawthorn) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation. Crataegus monogyna is native to the British flora, occurring frequently in hedgerows, scrubs, thickets and woodland. It can be found throughout almost all of Europe, on all soils of medium conditions regarding pH value, nutrient and water supply. Crataegus monogyna is a deciduous shrub or rarely a small tree of 2–8 m. Its twigs and branches bear sharp thorns about 1 cm long. Crataegus monogyna is of both ornamental and ecological value. During flowering in May and June, shrubs may appear white through a multitude of flowers, presenting pollen and nectar to a variety of different insects. Starting in August, almost the whole shrub can become dark red with the huge number of small red berries (pomes) produced during fruiting. The fruit are a preferred food for many birds. Although hybridizing freely and frequently with the other native species, Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC., the two species are easily recognizable in natural stands in the British Isles. Elsewhere, and with the occurrence of horticultural naturalizations and many intermediate forms of hybrid origin with closely related Crataegus species (especially the similar looking one‐styled species Crataegus rhipidophylla Gand. s.l. and Crataegus × subsphaerica Gand. s.l.) expert knowledge is required to avoid misidentifications and thus inaccurate understanding of frequency and distribution–not only on continental Europe but also increasingly in the British Isles. Identification in the field is further complicated by inbreeding of horticultural stock, which suffers from a myriad of descriptions and given names at different hierarchical levels. Cultivars are commonly planted in hedges and along roadsides or for ornamental purposes. The origin of this stock is not always known, so genetic exchange with the natural populations may lead to introgression and thus genotypes that are more adapted than the local genotypes in a changed environment.

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Section: Plant Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Flora of the British Isles: Crataegus monogyna

Fichtner

Wissemann

2021

Journal of Ecology

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“…Proper forest management practices can, to a certain extent, help cope with infections caused by P. quercina (Moricca et al 2018). When P. quercina attacks are only slight, the amount of inoculum in the forest should be reduced by felling infected trees and lopping off branches that have started to wither, or branches with cankers on one or two-year-old twigs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological Investigations Shed Light on the Ecological Role of the Endophyte Phomopsis quercina in Mediterranean Oak Forests

Moricca

Innocenti

Ragazzi

2018

Endophytes of Forest Trees

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Findings of a study extending over a number of years on some key aspects of the biology and ecology of Phomopsis quercina in Mediterranean oak forests are reported. The main biometric parameters and physiological requirements of this significant endophytic fungus were determined in the laboratory. The microorganism was also studied in the field to explore its lifestyle in natural oak stands. The isolation frequencies of the fungus in various oak species were also related to the vitality of the trees (healthy or declining) and this showed that the fungus is involved in the widespread phenomenon of oak decline. In planta studies have proved the pathogenic activity of P. quercina in oak, and have found that it remains latent for a long time in the inner wood of oaks, but may turn into an aggressive and harmful coloniser of the tree if this is weakened by some stress factors. An important part of the study concerns an examination of the antagonism that some other endophytes, which colonise the same oak tissues and organs as P. quercina, display against this fungus. The increasing presence and abundance of P. quercina in declining (and especially drought-stressed) oaks suggests that climate change is having a significant role in destabilising the precarious balance between the host tree and the fungus, to the benefit of the latter. Lastly, some practical suggestions are offered on ways to counter the epidemic spread of this latent pathogen.

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“…The current climate trend towards global warming acts directly on IAPPs by creating favourable conditions for their establishment in formerly unsuitable areas [11]. In addition, higher temperatures enhance the fitness of the more thermophilic IAPPs, favouring their reproductive and dispersive biology; furthermore, milder climates increase the number of yearly reproductive cycles and of individuals surviving the winter season [12]. Changes in climate additionally bolster IAPPs indirectly by making plants more susceptible, since adverse climatic factors, such as extended drought and extreme weather events (e.g., rainstorms, windstorms, hail, and severe flooding), impact plant health, reducing plant growth and vigour, altering phenology, impairing physiological processes, and creating wounds that favour IAPP attacks [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Changes in climate additionally bolster IAPPs indirectly by making plants more susceptible, since adverse climatic factors, such as extended drought and extreme weather events (e.g., rainstorms, windstorms, hail, and severe flooding), impact plant health, reducing plant growth and vigour, altering phenology, impairing physiological processes, and creating wounds that favour IAPP attacks [13,14]. Some of the major impacts of forest IAPPs are: reduction of primary production; alterations of evolutionary processes, both in host populations and in organisms taxonomically related to the invaders; changes in ecological relationships within tree communities (for example, alteration of symbiotic relationships, either mutualistic or antagonistic, between the tree species and their animal or microbial symbionts); decrease or loss of ecosystem services (water filtration and supply, climate mitigation, erosion prevention, nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and habitat provision); and demise of native species (extinction) [12,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alien Invasive Pathogens and Pests Harming Trees, Forests, and Plantations: Pathways, Global Consequences and Management

Panzavolta

Bracalini

Benigno

et al. 2021

Forests

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Forest health worldwide is impacted by many invasive alien pathogens and pests (IAPPs) that cause significant harm, with severe economic losses and environmental alterations. Destructive tree pathogens and pests have in the past devastated our forests, natural landscapes and cityscapes and still continue to represent a serious threat. The main driver of pathogen and pest invasions is human activities, above all global trade, which allows these invasive species to overstep their natural distribution ranges. While natural transport occurs according to a regular, expected colonization pattern (based on the dispersive capacity of the organism), human-mediated transport takes place on a larger, unpredictable scale. In order for a pathogen or pest species to become invasive in a new territory it must overcome distinct stages (barriers) that strongly affect the outcome of the invasion. Early detection is crucial to enabling successful eradication and containment. Although sophisticated diagnostic techniques are now available for disease and pest surveillance and monitoring, few control and mitigation options are usable in forestry; of these, biological control is one of the most frequently adopted. Since invasion by pathogens and pests is an economic and ecological problem of supranational relevance, governments should endorse all necessary preventive and corrective actions. To this end, establishing and harmonizing measures among countries is essential, both for preventing new introductions and for diminishing the eventual range expansion of IAPPs present at a local scale. Research is fundamental for: (i) developing effective and rapid diagnostic tools; (ii) investigating the epidemiology and ecology of IAPPs in newly introduced areas; and (iii) supporting policymakers in the implementation of quarantine regulations.

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Biotic Factors Affecting Ecosystem Services in Urban and Peri-Urban Forests in Italy: The Role of Introduced and Impending Pathogens and Pests

Cited by 21 publications

References 62 publications

Biological Flora of the British Isles: Crataegus monogyna

Biological Flora of the British Isles: Crataegus monogyna

Epidemiological Investigations Shed Light on the Ecological Role of the Endophyte Phomopsis quercina in Mediterranean Oak Forests

Alien Invasive Pathogens and Pests Harming Trees, Forests, and Plantations: Pathways, Global Consequences and Management

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