Economic appraisal of Sirex Wood Wasp (Sirex noctilio) control in Australian pine plantations

N L Cameron; A J Carnegie; T Wardlaw; Simon A Lawson; Tyron J Venn

doi:10.1080/00049158.2018.1430436

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Economic appraisal of Sirex Wood Wasp (Sirex noctilio) control in Australian pine plantations

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Economic appraisal of Sirex Wood Wasp (Sirex noctilio) control in Australian pine plantations

N L Cameron, A J Carnegie, T Wardlaw, Simon A Lawson and Tyron J Venn

Australian Forestry, Vol.81(1), pp.37-45

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00049158.2018.1430436

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Abstract

Sirex noctilio

Sirex Wood Wasp

biosecurity

Pinus plantations

economic appraisal

cost-benefit analysis

net present value

NPV

discount rate

tree mortality

Sirex noctilio (Sirex) is an exotic wood wasp and a pest of Pinus that has been in Australia for 65 years. Our study quantified expenditure on Sirex control between 1952 and 2014 through the National Sirex Control program, and costed the impact of three major outbreaks where large-scale tree mortality occurred. We estimate the combined cost of the program and the outbreaks at $34.5 million (net present value using a 1952 baseline and a 5% discount rate). Expenditure on the program was estimated at $24.8 million, while the combined plantation timber losses from the three studied outbreaks - Pittwater, Delatite and the Green Triangle - were valued at $9.7 million. Much higher expenditure values were generated when discounting was limited to the year that the outbreaks commenced. The outbreak at Pittwater, Tasmania commenced in 1952 and had estimated losses of $5.7 million or $5161 ha-1. This outbreak provided the best insight into the potential of Sirex to impact timber values under a 'no control' scenario. The Sirex outbreak in the Green Triangle, which commenced in 1987, was costed at $21.6 million. It was Australia's largest outbreak and occurred at a time when proven control methods were available. Study of the National Sirex Control program highlights the threats that exotic pests pose to Pinus plantations in Australia. Where realised, these threats can translate to major timber loses and costly control programs. © 2018 Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA)

Details

Title: Economic appraisal of Sirex Wood Wasp (Sirex noctilio) control in Australian pine plantations
Authors: N L Cameron (Author) - NSW Department of Primary Industries
A J Carnegie (Author) - NSW Department of Primary Industries
T Wardlaw (Author) - Forestry Tasmania
Simon A Lawson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Tyron J Venn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Publication details: Australian Forestry, Vol.81(1), pp.37-45
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Australasia
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.1080/00049158.2018.1430436
ISSN: 0004-9158
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451235902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Forestry

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