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Invasive alien pests threaten the carbon stored in Europe’s forests

Author

Listed:
  • Rupert Seidl

    (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Vienna)

  • Günther Klonner

    (University of Vienna)

  • Werner Rammer

    (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Vienna)

  • Franz Essl

    (University of Vienna)

  • Adam Moreno

    (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Vienna
    NASA Ames Research Center)

  • Mathias Neumann

    (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Vienna)

  • Stefan Dullinger

    (University of Vienna)

Abstract

Forests mitigate climate change by sequestering large amounts of carbon (C). However, forest C storage is not permanent, and large pulses of tree mortality can thwart climate mitigation efforts. Forest pests are increasingly redistributed around the globe. Yet, the potential future impact of invasive alien pests on the forest C cycle remains uncertain. Here we show that large parts of Europe could be invaded by five detrimental alien pests already under current climate. Climate change increases the potential range of alien pests particularly in Northern and Eastern Europe. We estimate the live C at risk from a potential future invasion as 1027 Tg C (10% of the European total), with a C recovery time of 34 years. We show that the impact of introduced pests could be as severe as the current natural disturbance regime in Europe, calling for increased efforts to halt the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.

Suggested Citation

  • Rupert Seidl & Günther Klonner & Werner Rammer & Franz Essl & Adam Moreno & Mathias Neumann & Stefan Dullinger, 2018. "Invasive alien pests threaten the carbon stored in Europe’s forests," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-04096-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04096-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Ping, Jiaye & Zhou, Jian & Huang, Kun & Sun, Xiaoying & Sun, Huanfa & Xia, Jianyang, 2021. "Modeling the typhoon disturbance effect on ecosystem carbon storage dynamics in a subtropical forest of China's coastal region," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 455(C).
    2. Fayet, Catherine M.J. & Reilly, Kate H. & Van Ham, Chantal & Verburg, Peter H., 2022. "What is the future of abandoned agricultural lands? A systematic review of alternative trajectories in Europe," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).

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