What is the role of soil health in forest pest management?

Healthy soil plays a crucial role in promoting robust tree growth, which is vital for forest ecosystems. Trees that grow in well-balanced, nutrient-rich soil are generally more resilient to various stressors, including pest infestations. Healthy soil supports the development of deep root systems, which enables trees to access water and nutrients more efficiently. This enhanced growth leads to more vigorous trees that can better withstand herbivory and damage from pests.

Trees in healthy soils are also better equipped to produce secondary metabolites, which can deter pests or make the tree less palatable. Additionally, soil health influences the diversity and abundance of beneficial organisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi and soil microbes, which can enhance tree health and reduce susceptibility to pests.

In contrast, other choices suggest misconceptions about the relationship between soil health and tree growth, the extent of pest influence, or assert that pest management is unrelated to soil health, which overlooks the interconnected dynamics of soil, tree health, and pest relationships in forest management.