Can we grow certified eucalypt plantations in subtropical Australia? An insect pest management perspective

Abstract

In the past few years several Australia forestry companies have set in place procedures for certification in sustainable forest management (Forest Stewardship Council and Australian Forestry Standard). Eucalypt plantation forestry in sub-tropical New South Wales and Queensland is substantially different from that in temperate southern Australia, with currently the majority of plantations grown for long-rotation sawlogs, and a range of tree species different from that planted for pulp in southern Australia. Also, the major insect pests in this region are multivoltine and active for much of the year, due to the warmer climate and the short milder winters, compared to shorter periods of activity of larvae of any one species of mostly univoltine insects in temperate Australia. Insect pest management strategies currently used in Australia include tree improvement, improved site-species matching, and chemical control, mostly using an integrated pest management approach. Monitoring is essential for correct timing of insecticide application but, due to limited resources, forestry companies in Australia struggle to monitor effectively for multiple insect pests over extended periods of insect activity. Because of the relative immaturity of the plantation industry in subtropical Australia, and the sensitivity over the use of chemical insecticides by Government forestry organisations (the major growers), little research has been conducted on establishing integrated pest management strategies. In contrast, such strategies, including regular monitoring and chemical control, have been developed in temperate Australia. There are regional issues for cost-effective management of insect pests in relation to certification, including targeted use of slow-release systemic insecticides and future development of insect-active pheromones, kairomones, and synomones. There are many areas that require further research before forest companies in subtropical Australia will be able to sustain forest certification over the long term.