Learning Platform 2 report for he LWEC early detection of tree pests project

The project “New approaches for the early detection of tree health pests and pathogens” runs from 2014 to 2017 and is funded through the LWEC (Living with Environmental Change) Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Initiative. The project is focused on the development of new technologies for detecting changes in plants and arrival or presence of potential pests and pathogens. It also explores how these technologies can be developed better in partnership with practitioners involved in the use of technologies and industry representatives who may wish to take such technologies forward to
commercial application. Technologies explored include:
• ‘sniffer’ technology to identify chemical changes in the air triggered by disease
• imaging techniques that can detect changes beyond the range of human vision
• new traps for detecting and capturing insects
• DNA-based detection approaches to seek established and new pests
The aims of this second Learning Platform workshop in the project were:
• to further develop collaborative networks across individuals and groups with an interest in early detection of tree pests and pathogens
• to provide an update from scientists and opportunity for other stakeholders to input on the emerging technologies
• to permit a Scotland focus to highlight particular issues (community and commercial forestry aspects, devolved policy)