Zim’s parched forests fall prey to Aussie pest invasion

EUCALYPTUS trees stand tall amid Zimbabwe’s forests. But those dotting the Harare-Beit Bridge roadside, just outside the capital, are in trouble, with their bark fraying off.

They, and other tree species, are suffering not only due to this year’s severe El Niño-induced drought, experts say, but also from an onslaught of pests, first detected last year.

They include the eucalyptus leaf beetle which chews irregular notches along the edges of the trees’ leaves. “A war waged on forests by pests is gathering momentum, and besides wood poachers causing deforestation, the pests have become the new drivers of desertification,” said Mevion Chagwiza, an eco-activist affiliated to the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association. The country’s Forestry Commission blamed the surge in forest pests partly on climate shifts, as global warming heats up the planet.

“These pest outbreaks are partly attributed to changes in climatic conditions which are now making previously unsuitable geographical areas amenable to ‘occupation’ by these alien species,” said spokeswoman Violet Makoto.

The insects attacking Zimbabwe’s forests and plantations include the blue gum chalcid, a gall-inducing-type of wasp, the bronze bug and the red gum lerp psyllid, all of Australian origin, Makoto said.

The commission says trade between countries and the increased movement of people around the globe have also contributed to the scourge.

From last September to the end of May, the ministry estimates that 43 000 eucalyptus trees succumbed to forest pests alone, in addition to 24 000 other types of trees.

However, the pests are not regarded as forest enemy No 1.

At least 57 000 trees perished due to drought linked to a strong El Niño event and another 80 000 were felled for timber during the same period.

“The major drivers of de- forestation have been the conversion of forest land to agricultural land, which accounts for 80 percent of the deforestation rate,” according to Oppah Muchinguri, Zimbabwe’s Environment Minister.

Nevertheless, experts insist that the pests are a growing threat to forests, but tree poaching is also a threat, said government ecologist Henry Kazin- gizi. – Reuters