RA3.1 PAPER: Assessing community vulnerability ...

A Functional Assessment of Community Vulnerability to the Loss of Myrtaceae From Myrtle Rust

October 2024

McCarthy J, Richardson S, Jo I, Wiser S, Easdale T, Shepherd J. & Bellingham P. 2024. A Functional Assessment of Community Vulnerability to the Loss of Myrtaceae From Myrtle Rust. Divers Distrib e13928.

ABSTRACT

Woody ecosystems provide critical ecosystem functions and services but are increasingly threatened as invasive pathogens spread globally. Myrtle rust, caused by Austropuccinia psidii, arrived in New Zealand in 2017 and infects at least 12 of 18 species in the susceptible Myrtaceae plant family. Among these are species of structural, successional and cultural importance. We aim to assess whether the functional consequences of Myrtaceae loss could be mitigated if co-occurring species with shared functional attributes are able to replace them.

KEYWORDS

Austropuccinia psidii, functional redundancy, functional similarity, invasive pathogens. Kunzea, Leptospermum, Metrosideros, New Zealand, tree diseases