engleski

Aleppo pine dieback in the forest park Marjan- Climate change and Bark Beetles

Climate change in the Mediterranean basin was predicted by IPCC panel (FAO) in 2014. In the recent years extreme weather conditions with increased temperatures, frequency and intensity of drought with extended growth period of vegetation were recorded across the dalmatian coast region. This seems to trigger bark beetle’s attacks of the species Orthotomicus erosus, consequently more than 20% of all Aleppo pine trees in the forest park Marjan (city of Split) have been attacked between 2016-2018. More than 13.000 trees died mostly between 50 and 60 years old. The negative influences of climate change on pine trees could be shown in physiological changes in tree defences and indirect effects through changes in abundances of natural enemies and competitors. With climate change there is a strong possibility that the frequency of bark beetle outbreaks will increase, and negative influence will accelerate. It is well known that climate change indirectly negatively influences forest ecosystems through range expansion and changing of seasonal phenology of insect pests, resulting in faster development and higher feeding rates of phytophagous insects. Orthotomicus erosus followed by Pityogene carcaratus therefore develop more generation per years than usual which build a high biological pressure to the forest. An integrated pest management strategy was developed to suppress the beetle attack which is very important in such sensitive ecosystem.

: Orthotomicus erosus, Pityogenes carcaratus, bark beetle outbreak, integrated pest management

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