The amplification of plant disease risk through ecological restoration

Abstract

Ecological restoration, which encompasses habitat restoration and creation is essential to “bend the curve of biodiversity loss.” However, well‐intentioned actions could alter plant pest/pathogen distributions resulting in unanticipated detrimental impacts on both host plants and associated biodiversity. Awareness among practitioners of this risk is unknown but likely to be limited. Using an online survey, with responses from 224 participants involved in ecological restoration in the United Kingdom, we assessed: (1) their awareness of plant health biosecurity risks; (2) whether they had risk assessments and biosecurity guidance/best practices for plant pests/pathogens; and (3) what, if any, new guidance was required. Participants perceived that their neighbors' activities, rather than their own, were the most likely source of pests/pathogens establishing. Their perceptions of the activities most likely to be a source of pests/pathogens did not match the literature, with the introduction of both mature plants and seeds viewed as the same level of risk. Over half the participants did not have a risk assessment for plant pests/pathogens. More of the participants (70%) had biosecurity guidance. However, of those participants that had biosecurity guidance 22% failed to check whether this guidance was followed, while 40% did not have anyone in their organization responsible for biosecurity. The most frequent requests from participants for guidance were: (1) what biosecurity to put in place for staff/contractors?; (2) the current legislation on plant pests/pathogens and movement of plants/soil/equipment. We conclude that risk assessments for plant pests/pathogens must become standard practice in ecological restoration.