Contribution of insect pest and disease research in forest biodiversity conservation and management.

Farrah Effa D., . and Arthur Y.C., . (2007) Contribution of insect pest and disease research in forest biodiversity conservation and management. [Proceedings Paper]

Insect pest and disease research is often associated with agricultural crop management in order to maximize the production. Looking from a different perspective information from pest and disease research can contribute towards forest biodiversity conservation and management. In forest plantations as well as in natural forests pest and diseases are among the factors that affect the well-being of the trees and also other living organisms within a habitat. Thus documentation and understanding the life cycle of prominent pests and diseases and their ecology could provide salient information that could reduce risks of outbreaks which are detrimental to a forested habitat. This would further enhance and improve forest biodiversity conservation and management. Indirectly by keeping populations of pests and disease-causing organisms in check biodiversity of various life forms would generally sustain or increase besides maintaining healthy growth of trees. It is often highlighted that biodiversity has a role to play in cotrolling levels of pests and disease vectors. Conversely pest and disease research can also contribute significantly towards biodiversity conservation e.g. Integrated Pest Management IPM promotes activies that reduce health and environmental risks of pesticide application. It is based on the principle that if predators parasites and other pathogen exist in balance with pest species then depredations on useful plants are minimized. This lesson was learned from the widespread use of broad-spectrum insecticides which killed off many insects pests natural predators and parasites and allowed pest numbers to build up with large-scale and unhindered destruction of trees. The diversification of novel approaches in pest and disease control such as using viruses bacteria fungi pheromones and insect pest sterilization may contribute postively towards biodiversity conservation.

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Abstract

Insect pest and disease research is often associated with agricultural crop management in order to maximize the production. Looking from a different perspective information from pest and disease research can contribute towards forest biodiversity conservation and management. In forest plantations as well as in natural forests pest and diseases are among the factors that affect the well-being of the trees and also other living organisms within a habitat. Thus documentation and understanding the life cycle of prominent pests and diseases and their ecology could provide salient information that could reduce risks of outbreaks which are detrimental to a forested habitat. This would further enhance and improve forest biodiversity conservation and management. Indirectly by keeping populations of pests and disease-causing organisms in check biodiversity of various life forms would generally sustain or increase besides maintaining healthy growth of trees. It is often highlighted that biodiversity has a role to play in cotrolling levels of pests and disease vectors. Conversely pest and disease research can also contribute significantly towards biodiversity conservation e.g. Integrated Pest Management IPM promotes activies that reduce health and environmental risks of pesticide application. It is based on the principle that if predators parasites and other pathogen exist in balance with pest species then depredations on useful plants are minimized. This lesson was learned from the widespread use of broad-spectrum insecticides which killed off many insects pests natural predators and parasites and allowed pest numbers to build up with large-scale and unhindered destruction of trees. The diversification of novel approaches in pest and disease control such as using viruses bacteria fungi pheromones and insect pest sterilization may contribute postively towards biodiversity conservation.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	17 ref. call number: SD235 M3N277 2007
AGROVOC Term:	INSECTA
AGROVOC Term:	PEST INSECTS
AGROVOC Term:	DISEASE CONTROL
AGROVOC Term:	BIODIVERSITY
AGROVOC Term:	NATURE CONSERVATION
AGROVOC Term:	MANAGEMENT
AGROVOC Term:	MALAYSIA
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:13
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/11068

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