The Parasitic attacks in forested areas pose a significant threat to forest health and, consequently, for the global ecosystem. In recent decades, the incidence and severity of these attacks have increased, accomplices the climate change, globalization and the reduced biodiversity.

The threat of parasites

Forest pests can be insects, mushrooms, bacteria or virus, each of which causes different damage. Insects, such as the Bark beetle printer (Ips typographus), are among the most devastating pests for conifers. These beetles attack trees weakened by environmental stress, digging tunnels under the bark, interrupting the flow of nutrients and leading to the death of the tree, with the creation of dead areas that can spread rapidly.

Mushrooms, like The pathogen of theHoney fungus, attack both the roots and the trunk of the trees, causing rot and deathThe spread of these fungi is often favored by humidity and temperature conditions that are becoming increasingly common with climate change. Bacteria and viruses, while less common, can also cause serious damage, often through infections that weaken trees and make them more susceptible to other pests.

Contributing factors

The climate change plays a crucial role in increasing parasitic attacks. Warmer temperatures And prolonged periods of drought weaken trees, making them more vulnerable to attack. Furthermore, Rising temperatures allow many parasites to extend their range and reproduce faster, intensifying the damage.

Globalization has facilitated the transport of parasites from one region to another.. Many invasive pests have no natural predators in new areas, allowing them to proliferate unchecked. This phenomenon is exacerbated by forest monoculture, where the lack of genetic diversity facilitates the spread of parasites.

Consequences and solutions

Parasitic attacks can cause huge economic losses, reducing the availability of wood and increasing forest management costs. Furthermore, the loss of trees reduces the capacity of forests to absorb CO2, further contributing to climate change.

To combat these problems, it is essential to adopt integrated forest management strategies. These include the use of biopesticides and biological control methods, such asintroduction of natural predators. Furthermore, it is essential Promoting diversity in forest plantations to reduce vulnerability to parasitic attacks. 

Finally, thesatellite analysis, like our DSS Watch, it turned out very useful for monitoring the spread of the attack, managing to quickly identify the most affected areas.
Its effectiveness is also due to the fact that it works on very large surfaces that are difficult to monitor with the naked eye, as hard to reach areas.