Pesticides Significantly Affect Soil Life and Biodiversity, Study Finds

Pesticides significantly affect soil life and biodiversity, study finds

Seventy percent of soils in Europe are contaminated with pesticides. A Europe-wide study co-led by researchers of the University of Zurich now shows that their effects on soil life are substantial, as pesticides suppress various beneficial soil organisms. To protect soil biodiversity, the findings should be taken into account in current pesticide regulations.

Pesticide residues alter taxonomic and functional biodiversity in soils

Pesticides are widely distributed in soils1–3, yet their effects on soil biodiversity remain poorly understood4–7. Here we examined the effects of 63 pesticides on soil archaea, bacteria, fungi, protists, nematodes, arthropods and key functional gene groups across 373 sites spanning woodlands, grasslands and croplands in 26 European countries. Pesticide residues were detected in 70% of sites and emerged as the second strongest driver of soil bio…

Pesticide Residues Impact Soil Biodiversity Functions

Pesticides, a mainstay in modern agriculture, are recognized for their vital role in pest control and crop yield enhancement. Yet, their pervasive presence in soils worldwide has increasingly raised concerns about unseen repercussions on the intricate web of soil biodiversity. This groundbreaking study marks a pivotal advancement in our understanding of how pesticide residues, ubiquitously detected in soils, intricately reshape both the taxonomi…