A Journey Through Forest Pathology: Lessons from History and Emerging Innovations
Special Issue Editors
Interests: plant pathology; disease epidemiology; detection; management strategies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
2. Department of Agri-Food Production and Environmental Sciences (DiSPAA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Interests: forest pathology; emerging diseases; alien forest pathogens; molecular diagnostics; tree dormancy; tree phenology; ontogenetic disease resistance; disease escape; tree breeding for disease resistance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Forest pathology has evolved considerably over the last century, shaped by historic disease outbreaks that have transformed both research priorities and management strategies. Notable examples, such as chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease, have highlighted the vulnerability of forest ecosystems—and particularly forest trees in urban areas—to invasive pathogens introduced through global trade and environmental change. These historical events have underscored the need for robust detection systems, which are currently benefitting from significant technological innovation. Modern tools including molecular diagnostics, high-throughput sequencing, and remote sensing now enable the early, accurate identification of pathogens across both natural forests and urban green spaces, where tree health is essential in ecosystem services and public well-being.
Equally important are advancements in management strategies. Traditional approaches based on sanitation and chemical treatments are increasingly complemented by integrated methods that incorporate host resistance breeding, biological control, and landscape-level risk assessment. Innovations such as decision support systems, predictive modeling, and bio-based products offer promising avenues for sustainable disease mitigation. By combining lessons from the past with cutting-edge technologies, forest pathology is moving toward more resilient and adaptive frameworks capable of protecting trees in diverse environments—from dense forest stands to fragmented and highly stressed urban forests. This integrated perspective is crucial as forests are facing accelerating pressures from climate change, biological invasions, and human disturbance.
Dr. Anna Maria Vettraino
Dr. Luisa Ghelardini
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- forest pathogens
- urban plant pathogens
- early detection technologies
- integrated disease management
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