This book delves into the human dimensions of the challenges posed by a new wave of invasive pests and pathogens affecting tree health globally. The rise in global trade and transportation, coupled with climate change, facilitates the establishment of these threats in new environments, significantly impacting ecosystem services provided by trees and forests, as well as human wellbeing. The main focus is on the role of social science in understanding the social, economic, and environmental consequences of tree disease and pest outbreaks. Contributions examine how these outbreaks are socially constructed, considering historical, cultural, and contextual factors; the governance and economics of tree health to inform policy; stakeholder engagement and communication strategies; and philosophical approaches that incorporate environmental ethics and ‘non-human’ perspectives. Collectively, the book offers theoretical, methodological, and practical insights into this crucial area, urging researchers from various social sciences and humanities disciplines to contribute their perspectives and expertise to tackle the complexities surrounding forest and tree health. Chapters 5 and 11 are available as open access under a CC BY 4.0 license via link.springer.com.
