Climate change and pests: more than climate

Abstract

Hódar, J.A., Zamora, R., Cayuela, L. (2012). Climate change and pests: more than climate Ecosistemas 21(3):73-78. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2012.21-3.09

The general consensus in the scientific community about the effects of climate change on pest species is that pests will be mostly favored by the increase in temperatures. This will create a difficult scenario for the maintenance and management of woodlands. In this work we use as an example of this situation the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopea pityocampa), a Mediterranean pest causing severe damages to pine woodlands. This moth already shows a well-known expansion in Europe as a consequence of temperature increase. We propose an integral strategy to face the future management of this pest. Alternatively to control methods based on direct chemical or biological attacks to the insect, we evidence the possibilities of creating prevention strategies based on habitat management. We suggest to increase ecological heterogeneity of pine plantations, which usually have low structural and species diversity. This would result in ecosystems with higher resistance and resilience against not only pests, but also diverse disturbances that would be menacing woodlands in future years.