Global wildlife is facing increasing harm from pesticides, a trend that continues despite international pledges to reduce risk, according to a new study published today, . The research, which analyzed data from 65 countries representing approximately 80% of the world’s farmland, reveals a concerning rise in “applied toxicity” – a measure that considers both the amount of pesticide used and its potential harm to different species.
The study, led by ecotoxicologist Jakob Wolfram at RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, found that insects suffered the greatest increase in harm from synthetic farm chemicals between 2013 and 2019, with applied toxicity rising by 42.9%. Soil organisms also experienced a significant increase, facing a 30.8% rise in toxicity. While aquatic plants and land-based vertebrates saw a decrease in danger, the overall trend points to a growing ecological threat.
This escalating harm occurs despite a 2022 United Nations summit where world leaders committed to halving the risks from pesticides by the end of the decade. Last year, the UN adopted total applied toxicity (TAT) as an indicator to track progress towards this biodiversity pledge. The researchers utilized this TAT framework, along with safety thresholds from seven regulatory authorities, to develop a globally consistent measure of pesticide damage across 625 different pesticides.
“It should be a stark warning that applied toxicities are still increasing in many regions, particularly for species groups that serve vital ecological functions,” said Wolfram. The findings highlight a disconnect between international commitments and on-the-ground realities, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current strategies to protect biodiversity.
The geographical distribution of this increasing toxicity is uneven. Europe and China have seen declines in applied toxicity, attributed to the phasing out of neonicotinoids in Europe beginning in 2013 and China’s implementation of a zero-growth-pesticide policy in 2015. However, significant increases were observed in much of Africa, India, the United States, Brazil, and Russia. Chile is currently the only country on track to meet the UN’s target of a 50% reduction in pesticide risk by 2030.
The study examined pesticide application data from 2013 to 2019, a period chosen for its data coverage. Researchers acknowledge that applied toxicity has likely continued to rise since then, given ongoing trends in pesticide application rates. Globally, farmers now spray approximately 4 million tons of pesticides annually – nearly double the amount used in the 1990s.
While pesticides have undeniably increased agricultural productivity, allowing for greater food production on existing land, the ecological costs are becoming increasingly apparent. Mónica Martínez Haro, a wildlife toxicologist at Spain’s National Research Council, described the research as “highly relevant and high-quality,” but cautioned that the results may underestimate the true extent of the harm. She explained that pesticides can have “sub-lethal and silent” effects on organisms, masking their impact on overall ecological health.
Martínez Haro emphasized the need for comprehensive measures to address the issue, including agricultural diversification, less intensive soil management practices, increased adoption of organic farming, and a shift towards less toxic pesticides. “What we have is a key study that highlights the urgent need for substantial measures at a global level… if the United Nations’ goal of safeguarding biodiversity is to be achieved,” she stated.
The researchers acknowledge limitations in the available data, particularly the sparse and often insufficient quality of pesticide application data for many countries. Wolfram stressed the importance of long-term, high-quality data collection globally to accurately assess the current status and trends of applied toxicities. The development of the TAT tool represents a step forward in monitoring progress, but its effectiveness hinges on the availability of reliable data.
The findings underscore the complex trade-offs between agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. As global food demand continues to rise, finding solutions that minimize the ecological impact of pesticide use will be crucial for preserving biodiversity and ensuring the long-term health of ecosystems.
