Session: Insects and Pathogens of Forest Trees

Beschreibung / Description

Forests are shaped by the often-invisible alliances and antagonisms between insects and fungi. This session explores the intricate ecological networks connecting forest insects and tree pathogens, revealing how these interactions influence forest health, tree mortality, and biodiversity. Insects such as bark and wood-boring beetles play multiple roles—not only feeding on weakened host trees but also transporting fungal spores across landscapes, sometimes forming tightly co-evolved relationships with the fungi they carry. Conversely, fungal pathogens of trees can alter insect behavior, hamper or benefit development and population dynamics, thus creating feedback loops that may amplify their combined impact. Talks will range from molecular mechanisms and ecological patterns to large-scale consequences for forest resilience and management. The session offers a platform for interdisciplinary perspectives and current research that enhance our understanding of these complex biotic interactions in a rapidly changing world.

Keywords: yymbiosis, microorganisms, insects, fungi, ecology