![]() ![]() Earthworms are vital for soil health and recycling of plant material, yet pesticides appear to be jeopardising their reproduction and survival. These are harmed by herbicides and pesticides, which disrupt enzymatic activities, increase mortality, decrease fecundity and growth, and change their feeding behaviour. This adds up to a profound impact on nature, including on species needed to pollinate our crops or keep our soils healthy. Problems with Pesticides highlights the scientific evidence for pesticides harming many more wild species than tends to be publicised. When herbicides kill plants regarded as weeds they remove vital sources of food and shelter for wild species, adding to pressure on them to relocate, alter their diet, or starve.Įffects of pesticides on a range of wildlife.When birds eat worms and insects, pesticide residues move up through the food chain.Chemicals leach into soils and onward into rivers and water courses and affect aquatic life.Residues blown across fields and landscapes such as when fields are ploughed.Residues in soils affect the quality and structure of soils and can be toxic to soil-living organisms.Crop sprays drift outside the intended spraying area.They may be unintended victims but are affected because: It’s easy for wildlife to come into contact with chemicals, because the abundance of pesticides in fields, streets, parks and watercourses means they get exposed in different ways. Gill and Garg, 2014 Creature contact with chemicals ![]() Problems with Pesticides also shows that other wild species and habitats are harmed.Īlthough pesticides were used initially to benefit human life through increase in agricultural productivity and by controlling infectious disease, their adverse effects have overweighed the benefits associated with their use. None of this has stopped the pesticides lobby pouring scorn on anyone who questions pesticide use, including independent scientists and researchers whose studies have exposed how pesticides passed as safe still harm a range of bee species and other vital pollinating insects. There’s also evidence of harm to soils and water, and the organisms that depend on them. If you’re a bee nesting or feeding near crops treated to control pests, like flea beetles, you’re likely to get a potentially harmful dose, like it not. Most of the widely used chemicals are broad spectrum, meaning they affect more than just the intended target pest, disease or weed. ![]()
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