Abstract
Phytosanitary measures are management techniques used to prevent unintentional movement of insect pests during timber processing and handling. In this study, the level of awareness on phytosanitary measures used for insect pest control during timber harvesting and post harvesting operations were assessed in Osun, Oyo and Lagos states in Nigeria. Questionnaires (331) were administered to plank marketers, saw mill workers, plant quarantine service workers, forestry officials and tree loggers in the three states. Information on knowledge about phytosanitary measures, pest control and perceptions towards pest infestation was elicited. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi square, and logit regression analysis. The respondents (80.0%) noticed pest infestation in their timber/planks before selling and 93.3% claimed that there were no regulatory bodies in charge of pest management in the forestry sector. The plank marketers used chemical (34.2%) and biological treatments (0.8%) for pest control while saw mill workers used chemical method (42.3%) and painting (4.9%). Logit regression analysis showed that awareness on phytosanitary measures had a positive impact on the willingness of the respondents to adopt the use of phytosanitary measures with an odd ratio of 13.50. Insect pest infestation resulted in reduced income and poor quality timber products. There is, therefore, a need for concerted efforts to generate interest in insect pest control using phytosanitary measures.
Highlights
Healthy forests are vital to the healthy state of ecosystems because they are capable of self-renewal; resilient in their response to natural and artificial disturbances
74.8% had insect pest occurrences, while 79.7% of saw mill workers checked the physical status of their logs before sawing
One-third of the plank marketers had heard about phytosanitary measures
Summary
Healthy forests are vital to the healthy state of ecosystems because they are capable of self-renewal; resilient in their response to natural and artificial disturbances (pests, fire, and human-caused disturbances). Forest products contain insects which become pests when their populations exceed economic injury levels. These small invertebrate herbivores are capable of damaging forest trees while constituting a major source of loss of wood products [3, 4]. Insect pests cause damages to trees in all stages of their development and affect the ability of both natural forests and plantations to meet forest management objectives [5]. Forest managers need to be aware of the potential impacts that these pests might have on the quantity and quality of benefits derivable from forests [7]
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