This book presents the state of the art in entomological research in various Mediterranean forest ecosystems in the world. Unique in its field, it fills an important gap in forest and Mediterranean entomology. It is composed of 4 main parts: overviews on research works; entomological biodiversity; life cycles and relations with host trees; survey and control of insect populations. Researchers, teachers and students in universities as well as forest managers will find in it ground for thinking and much recent information.

Because of its peculiar biology, its negative impacts on forestry, and its urticating larvae affecting human and animal health, pine processionary moth has largely been studied in many European countries during the last century. However, knowledge remained scattered and no synthesis has ever been published. Since the IPCC retained the moth as one of the two insect indicators of climate change because of its expansion with warming up, filling this gap became increasingly important. Led by INRA, this book associates 101 authors from 22 countries of Europe, Minor Asia and North Africa, combining all the concerned research fields (entomology, ecology, genetics, mathematical modelling, medical and veterinary science, pest management) in a multidisciplinary approach to understand and model the processes underlying past, present and future moth expansion and to propose adapted management methods. Besides, the major biological patterns of the related processionary species are also detailed.

The demand for comparable, long-term, high quality data on forest ecosystems' status and changes is increasing at the international and global level. Yet, sources for such data are limited and in many case it is not possible to compare data from different monitoring initiatives across space and time because of methodological differences. Apart from technical manuals, there is no comprehensive multidisciplinary, scientific, peer-reviewed reference for forest monitoring methods that can serve and support the user community. This book provides in a single reference the state-of-the-art of monitoring methods as applied at the international level.The book present scientific concepts and methods that form the basis of the transnational, long-term forest monitoring in Europe and looks at other initiatives at the global level. Standardized methods that have been developed over two decades in international forest monitoring projects are presented. Emphasis is put on trans-nationally harmonized methods, related data quality issues, current achievements and on remaining open questions. - A comprehensive overview of needs, requirements, organization and possible outcomes of an integrated monitoring program - Tested and quality assured, internationally harmonized methodologies based on a complete revision of existing methods carried out in 2009-2011 - Connection with monitoring results allows assessment of the potential of the monitoring method

The assessment and evaluation of tree condition and vitality is an essential part of the ICP Forests monitoring programme. Due to the complex structure of forest ecosystems, a number of different indicators of tree condition are adopted. In this chapter, they are described also in terms of their ecological relevance. Special emphasis is laid on biotic agents affecting forest ecosystems and explaining tree responses to stressors. For operational reasons, definitions and recommendations for the use of the indicators are given. Tree condition assessment in forest monitoring is closely linked to field measures of Quality Assurance and Control. Examples of results show that the methods currently used in tree condition monitoring are sensitive to detect the effects of climate change on forests and identifying main spatial and temporal patterns and damaging agents.