Topos Magazine | June 27, 2018
Long before globalization began, plants were disseminated across the world, often accompanied by pests and diseases. The establishment of introduced species often led to economic, social, cultural, and environmental changes to our landscapes and their future development. In Italy, the imported bacterial plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa is killing ancient olive trees, endangering the cultural heritage and an important economic resource in this Southern European country. In this article authored by ESPM professor Rodrigo Almeida, he discusses X. fastidiosa and why it poses a significant threat to natural, agricultural, forest, and urban landscapes.