Tipograf beetle threatens Lithuanian forests; climate change and monocultures worsen tree vulnerability.
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The primary threat to Lithuanian forests, especially spruce, is the spread of the spruce tip moth. This pest feeds on the sapwood of trees, causing them to die. While the number of infestations has decreased by 32% this year compared to last, the problem recurs periodically, with the worst damage recorded between 1990 and 1996. Forest management uses comprehensive measures to combat the pest, successfully eradicating 74% of this year’s infestations, though complete eradication is impossible. Climate change, including droughts and changing winter conditions, is linked to the pest’s spread. Entomologist Dr. Eduardas Budrys suggests the spruce tip moth acts as an indicator of stressed or improperly planted spruce, noting that monocultures lack natural predators. He recommends diversifying planted tree species to improve forest resilience. In contrast, other EU countries face threats from wildfires; Bulgaria has seen historically high numbers of fires in 2024, exacerbated by human behavior and a lack of firefighting equipment. In Lithuania, an average of about 200 forest fires occur annually, with conditions significantly impacting the scale of damage.
