Landscape Change Leads to Increased Insecticide Use in U.S. Midwest

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=120928&org=NSF&from=news

Press Release 11-139

Landscape Change Leads to Increased Insecticide Use in U.S. Midwest

Growth of cropland, loss of natural habitat to blame

July 11, 2011

The continued growth of cropland and loss of natural habitat have increasingly simplified agricultural landscapes in the Midwest.

In a study supported in part by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Kellogg Biological Station Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in Michigan--one of 26 such NSF LTER sites around the world--scientists concluded that this simplification is associated with increased crop pest abundance and insecticide use.

"This research suggests that there are simple ecological solutions--such as preservation or restoration of semi-natural lands within large agricultural regions--that could reduce the need for insecticides and contribute to agricultural economies," says Nancy Huntly, NSF program director for the network of LTER sites.

While the relationship between landscape simplification, crop pest pressure and insecticide use has been suggested before, it has not been well supported by empirical evidence, scientists say.

…

http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1100751108

[hatrack]

1. Not to worry - we'll just spray more of it!

:eyes:

[enough]

2. I wonder how National Science Foundation's Kellogg Biological Station's funding prospects

are going.

Interesting study. Thanks for posting this.