Forest ecosystems are increasingly threatened by invasive insect pests, sometimes resulting in profound ecological and economic damage. The current review depicts a comprehensive synthesis of forest pest invasions, focusing on regional and broader global patterns. While many introduced forest pests cause limited or negligible effects, a small proportion can disrupt forest structure and native species composition, altering ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling, productivity, and habitat accessibility. Recent advances in detection technologies and biosecurity measures have improved the ability to intervene early. However, they remain inadequate due to the rise in global trade. Intensified regulatory enforcement, improved data transparency, and robust post-entry measures are fundamental to limiting the spread and settlement of invasive pests. Addressing such challenges will mitigate the long-term ecological and economic impacts of forest insect invasions. Upgraded data entry procedures for inspections, greater data accessibility, and appropriate reporting would reinforce efforts to address invasive forest pests, thereby alleviating the long-term ecological and economic impacts they impose.
Ramakrishnan et al. (Thu,) studied this question.