Phytophthora diseases

Many of the most destructive epidemics in forest pathology worldwide have invasive Phytophthora species as the main drivers. The genus Phytophthora (from the Greek Phyton, a plant, phthora, destroyer) is currently classified in the kingdom of Chromista under the phylum of Pseudofungi and the class of Oomycetes. It includes more than 180 formally described species and hybrids. The present chapter will describe the most relevant diseases driven by Phytophthora species in forest ecosystems worldwide, discussing their epidemiology, biology, ecology, and impact in a global changes context