Investigating the Role of Restoration Plantings in Introducing Disease—A Case Study Using Phytophthora

Translocating plants to natural habitats is a long-standing conservation practice but growing in magnitude deliver international targets mitigate climate change and reverse biodiversity loss. Concurrently, outbreaks of novel plant pests pathogens are multiplying with increased global trade network connectivity larger volumes imported plants, raising concerns that restoration plantings may act as introductory disease pathways. We used UK common juniper, subject since ~1995 now experiencing significant mortality from the non-native pathogen Phytophthora austrocedri Gresl. & E. M. Hansen, an example species explore availability monitoring data could be assess risks posed by planting. compiled spatial records juniper planting including qualitative on sources material, propagation settings organization types managed projects. found activity expanded every decade 1990 across while not all resulted outbreaks, 19% P. detections were within 2 km known highlight scale diversity organizations well lack source material traceability, suggest cross-sector collaboration changes required reduce introduction