Abstract:

Forest pathology is a discipline of studying the development mechanism and management techniques of forest diseases, by utilizing the basic concepts, principles and methods of phytopathology.Forest pathology was established in around 1880s’ as an independent discipline,and since then the disoipline, as an integrated science system, has been built up in last over 100 years. The connotation of the discipline is greatly enriched with the development of life sciences and globalization in human society in contemporary age. This paper intends to review and generalize the research advances and characterization of forest pathology in contemporary era around the world from the viewpoints of research aims (national economical and ecological benefits), objects (from few-factors and simple pathways involved systems to complex factors and multiple pathways involved systems), scales (from gene to landscape and to globalization), methodology (more emphasized on interdisciplinary technology) and management strategies (tendency to be harmony with the laws of nature). The purpose of this paper is to make forest pathology and other disciplines in life sciences more closely jointed together and exhibit insight for development of science of forest pathology.

Key words: research aims, study objects, scales, methodology, management strategies