Australian botanic gardens join fight against plant pests Greg Fraser, Executive Director and CEO, Plant Health Australia Daniela Carnovale, Project Officer, Plant Health Australia David Gale, Project Officer, Plant Health Australia Alex Lucchetti, Communication Officer, Plant Health Australia
The declaration of 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health by the United Nations General Assembly recognises the importance of protecting the health of plants from pests and diseases which threaten our food security, economy, environment and way of life. As the year approaches, we are also presented with an opportunity to reflect on ways we can engage governments, industries and the wider community in protecting plant health. This includes the staff, friends, guides and other communities associated with botanic gardens.
A risk and an opportunity Introduced plant pests and pathogens present a significant risk to plant health in home gardens and botanic gardens alike. These organisms can have ecological and economic impacts on their new environs and the native species which inhabit them, with the potential to cause irreversible and large-scale damage. The growing global trade in plants and plant material are increasing the potential spread and subsequent establishment of these organisms. Botanic gardens represent both a risk and an opportunity in the fight against the international spread of plant pests and diseases. Visited by millions of people each year, botanic gardens are often one of the first places that overseas travellers visit. As a result, botanic gardens are at risk from new pests entering on the clothing or footwear of visitors. Due to this risk, botanic gardens provide an opportunity to detect new pests early. The living plant collections found within botanic gardens and arboretums are a unique resource that can provide vital information regarding plant health. These botanic gardens and arboreta hold a range of native flora, exotic species from all over the world and relatives of commercial crop species. This provides an opportunity to help overcome one of the key challenges when it comes to identifying and assessing threats to plant health – that most serious invasive pests do not cause problems in their native habits.
THE BOTANIC GARDENer | ISS 53 SUMMER 2019/20
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