The emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle native to Asia, has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in 31 states since it was confirmed in Detroit, Michigan, in 2002, Donovan added.
His study estimated more than 21,000 people had died in 15 states because there were fewer trees providing health benefits.
In South Korea, where pine trees are cultural, historical, and ecological cornerstones, containing the pine wood nematode has cost over $600 million in 20 years, said Kyu-Ock Yim, senior researcher at the country’s animal and plant quarantine agency.
“There was the loss of forest and crop but there are so many indirect impacts too—the ecology, the social impact, and the environment which are not easily estimated,” said Yim.
Preventing the arrival of such pests and diseases—in this case, originally from North America—”is the most cheap and effective way,” she added.
Yet this could be a challenge, with e-commerce on seeds and plants growing, and tourism a globally important industry.
“The really problematic situations are where you get that continental shift—pests go from one continent to another where you’ve got hosts growing right through that continent,” said Ransom, the CPM chair.
“Once they’re inside…you can’t do anything. You just got to try and mitigate the impact,” she added.
Ransom also has advice for tourists eager to bring food from home or souvenirs from their travels in different continents.
“Do not pack food. Do not take fresh fruit. Clean your camping equipment. It’s about an awareness that (what you bring) can have an impact forever.”
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