FABI was honoured to host a special seminar on 20 March by Natural Resources Canada’s Dr Joey Tanney.  Following the title “Silent invaders: Phytobiomes and forest biosecurity”, he provided a fascinating overview of the impact of invasive pests and diseases on forests. Joey, who is a mycologist with a forestry background and a passion for fungi and studying emerging forest pathogens, was in the country to attend the TPCP / FMG-EPPI Symposium at the Future Africa campus from 9-11 March. He also had the opportunity visit several forestry areas in the Mpumalanga Province after the symposium.

In the seminar, the FABI team were reminded that forests are transformed by foreign invasive pests and diseases that are introduced through increased global trade. This is especially due to the ornamental plant (plants for planting) trade, which often results in multiple introductions of invasive alien pests. His presentation cited two well-known examples: Chestnut Blight and Dutch Elm disease that devastated forests and showed how these had a huge impact on keystone forest species after being introduced into Europe and North America. While increased phytosanitary control measures are practiced in many countries, these typically only detect known pests and pathogens.  It is the unknown ones that are most likely to have the greatest negative impact if they become established. Joey, who works for the Canadian Forest Service, is a long-time collaborator and friend of FABI researchers.  He previously also presented the first virtual FABI International Seminar on 28 May 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. In that case, more than 160 participants from 20 countries around the world tuned in to hear the seminar. These FABI seminars during the pandemic provide a means to remain connected with the international research community as well as to commemorate 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health.