Not Enough Known Regarding Effect of Pesticides on Environment, Researchers Argue

With the rise in global human population has, naturally, come a rise in global food production. As a result, the use of pesticides has increased worldwide as desperate farmers fight to protect their crops from opportunistic scavengers.

However, despite their skyrocketing usage throughout the world, little is known regarding exactly how these pesticides affect not only the plants they were developed to protect but humans and animals as well. And with growing evidence that the chemicals found in pesticides can harm organisms they were never meant to affect in addition to a growing link between intensive farming and a collapse in populations of wild animals, some scientists are growing increasingly concerned regarding their use.

In a new study published in the journal Science, Heinz Köhler and Professor Rita Triebskorn from the University point to deficits in research as the reason behind a clearer understanding and recognition of the biochemical pesticides on surrounding ecosystems.

"Although there are many indications of animal populations and ecosystems changing because of pesticides, there are few studies proving the connection without a doubt," Köhler and Triebskorn say.

The researchers go on to stress that this is not due to a lack of existing mathematical and experimental approaches available to researchers, pointing to several in their study.

One area, they write, that has already played an important role in regards to the subject are those rare studies that combine both fieldwork and research on sections of ecosystems in addition to a broad range of chemical and biological analyses. Such a holistic approach, they argue, has the capacity to uncover both direct and indirect links in regards to the chemicals and their effects.

Furthermore, the duo argues a likely relationship climate change and pesticides, whether it be through changes in population levels, ecosystems and food chains. However, to what degree these two may be related is a subject that, they argue, should be explored.

Ultimately, whatever the approach or specific subject, Köhler and Triebskorn said, "The links to the effect of pesticides at every level of increasing biological complexity require more thorough research."