Pinewood nematode could cause massive damage in Finnish forests

Insect found in packing crates from Portugal

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If they find their way into Finnish forests, pinewood nematodes (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) could cause massive damage. The insect could cause extensive economic harm, requiring the destruction of large areas of pine forest, and a halt to exports of coniferous wood, at least temporarily.
      The pinewood nematode is seen as potentially the most destructive pest threatening forests in Europe. It has not appeared in Finnish forests yet, but in September, a few were found in packaging that had arrived from Portugal. The Finnish Food Safety Authority (EVIRA) upgraded inspections of packages arriving from Portugal. The contaminated boxes were incinerated.
     
Officials are seriously worried at the prospect that the pinewood nematode might spread into Finnish forests.
      “In spite of the precautions, a terrible fear is on all the time. If the nematode comes to Finland, it will be almost impossible to eradicate”, says Raija Valtonen of EVIRA.
      The consequences would be grave. Pine forests would have to be destroyed, forest owners would lose income, and the export of wood products would cease.
      Valtonen was speaking on Wednesday at a seminar arranged by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, at which preparations were launched for a national strategy on preventing the spread of harmful invasive species into the wild in Finland.
     
The pinewood nematode is a microscopic worm which lives in coniferous trees, and kills them. The species has caused extensive destruction in the coniferous forests of North America and Asia.
      Portugal is the only EU country where the pest is found. The EU’s Standing Committee on Plant Health has declared the entire country of Portugal a contaminated area.
      Finnish pine trees are of a type that is very susceptible to the pests, which is why a crisis readiness plan has been drawn up for dealing with the problem.
     
Invasive species are seen as the second-largest global threat to natural diversity, right after the destruction of habitats. Newcomers can cause damage to indigenous species and impose massive costs on the national economy.
      Dr. Petri Nummi of the University of Helsinki says that nearly 40 per cent of extinctions of animal species can be attributed to invasive species. The cost of the damage that they cause is EUR 1.4 trillion a year, which is five per cent of the world economy.
      Nummi feels that it is most important to act quickly and to prevent the spread of invasive species before they have established a permanent population.
      The EU is also preparing a strategy for invasive species. There are an estimated 11,000 invasive species in Europe, 1,300 of which are believed to have harmful effects.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Global Invasive Species Database: Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (nematode)
  Comb jelly poses serious threat to Baltic Sea ecosystem (27.8.2008)

Links:
  EVIRA website: Pine wood nematodes (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) found in wooden packaging material originating from Portugal (26.9.2008)

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