New Study Finds Pesticides Leading Cause Of Grassland Bird Declines

 

 

 

 

 

 

"New Study Finds Pesticides Leading Cause Of Grassland Bird Declines - 02/25/2013 - Chattanoogan.com." Chattanoogan.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2013. <http://www.chattanoogan.com/2013/2/25/245183/New-Study-Finds-Pesticides-Leading.aspx>.

 

            This article is written about the use of dangerous pesticides and the affect they have on grassland birds. The grassland bird population has been decreasing in the last few decades. Until recently it was thought that the loss of habitat was the reasoning for the decline in bird numbers, however it is now believed to be pesticides. The grassland birds are declining faster than birds from other biomes. According to Dr. Pierre Mineau who recently retired from Environment Canada “Our study put the spotlight on acutely toxic insecticides used in our cropland starting after the Second World War and persisting to this day – albeit at a lower level. The data suggest that loss of birds in agricultural fields is more than an unfortunate consequence of pest control; it may drive bird populations to local extinction”. The researchers then looked into the effect of dangerous pesticides like carbamate, an insecticide on the grassland birds. They found that pesticides are four times more likely to be associated with the decline in population than the next theorized cause. Most pesticides that were used in the 1980’s and 90’s are not in use today, they are called neonicotinoids, and are at the top of the global markets. A major toxicological assessment has been prepared by the American Bird Conservancy that will determine that the new pesticides will still harm birds and other organisms.

            I am still very surprised that after all this time and failed pesticides and other chemicals that are harming many different organisms that we have not produced one that is not harmful. With all of today’s technology we should be able to test the pesticides and chemicals before they are being used. Many chemicals are very harmful to both humans and animals and will do long term damage once they get in our body. I personally have an allergic reaction to many different fruits because of the pesticides used to grow them and keep off the bugs.  The companies producing these should try to come up with a safe type of pesticide and make sure they do enough tests to make sure it will not be harmful. The article was somewhat eye opening because while humans are just making things more profitable and proficient, these chemicals are doing a lot of damage in the long run.