Trend Climate change enabling new plant pathogens and invasive species

Summary

In the short term, the report expects climate change to help new plant pathogens and invasive species emerge. Trees and crops weakened by drought could become more susceptible to disease. According to the report, abiotic stresses such as drought, flooding and pollution increase plant vulnerability and can change how diseases develop and how much damage they cause. Climate-linked environmental change intensifies these pressures, making outbreaks more frequent and severe and giving new pests more room to establish in the UK. Because dying plants also reduce carbon sink capacity, the report treats this risk as closely connected with climate change itself. The report sees disease-resistant varieties as one way to respond while also easing the burden of pest control on farmers.