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Beetles and humans

However, as is the case with any monoculture

of closely spaced individuals of the same species,

a managed forest can be subject to infection,

which can spread quickly from tree to tree,

especially as the trees in forestry situations may

be stressed or overcrowded. Some beetle species,

especially of the families Curculionidae and

Cerambycidae, can establish large populations

in tree monocultures very quickly. These can be

harmful to the survival of the trees themselves, or

can affect the quality of the timber, making it less

valuable when harvested.

FORESTRY PESTS

A natural forest is a rich mosaic of habitats, where

trees of many species and varying ages, from

seedlings to ancient veterans, live with a diverse

assemblage of other plants, fungi, mammals, and

birds, and hundreds or thousands of species of

invertebrates, forming a complex and balanced

ecosystem. A plantation forest grown for forestry

might look similar to the untrained eye, but usually

consists of rows of trees of the same species and

age, planted close together so they shade the forest

floor, which discourages the growth of other

vegetation. It is effectively a monoculture like any

other crop, not very different from a barley field.

The trees may not even be native species to the

country where they are grown. It can be a virtual

desert from a biodiversity point of view.

below | Anoplophora chinensis (Cerambycidae)

An Asian species accidentally introduced into

parts of Europe. The related Asian Longhorn

(A. glabripennis) is a pest in North America.