Unwelcome Guests: How Insect Pests are Impacting Britain’s Forests

Climate change and global trade are driving rising threats to British forests from insect pests, with impacts ranging from reduced timber yields to losses in biodiversity and carbon storage. Drawing on a comprehensive assessment of 56 pest species, this presentation highlights the origins, impacts, and management of both native and non-native pests, identifies tree genera most at risk, and examines the role of trade, climate, and management in shaping outcomes. This talk will highlight several high-impact pests, including large pine weevil and bark beetles and advocate for a systems-level Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to strengthen forest resilience and anticipate future threats.