‘Resistance inducers to halt the destruction of ecosystems threatened by exotic pathogens: the case of the centennial cork oak woodlands in Doñana National Park (INREPAX)’

Luis Ventura García Fernández and Lorena Gómez Aparicio, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (CSIC); Cristina Ramo Herrero, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC).

Biological invasions pose a grave ecological and economic threat that is frequently exacerbated by climate change. This is the case of the exotic microorganism ‘Phytophthora cinnamomi’, a cork and holm oak pathogen whose effects on autochthonous ecosystems in the south and west of the Iberian Peninsula can become irreversible if not dealt with at an early stage.

The project will seek evidence that applying resistance inducers to trees can prevent the destruction of ecosystems already invaded by the pathogen. To this end, we will develop a protocol for the individual treatment of infected centennial trees in the relict cork oak woodlands of Doñana.

We will also explore new approaches in an affected area outside the Park, with the aim of identifying more effective, affordable treatments for use in zones with a high risk of infection both within Doñana National Park and in other forests and dehesas where sclerophyllous Quercus species are present.