ALBAWABA - Researchers have recently highlighted that using natural predators, such as birds, beetles, and bugs could be a sustainable solution to dealing with crop-devouring pests and reducing the use of chemical pesticides. These creatures have shown promising results in controlling pest populations, with the potential to reduce crop losses and increase yields.
Analyses conducted by researchers from Brazil, the United States, and the Czech Republic revealed that natural predators could decrease pest populations by over 70% while simultaneously boosting crop yields by 25%.
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Lead author Gabriel Boldorini, a PhD student in Brazil, emphasized the importance of maintaining these natural predators for effective pest control, especially in the face of climate change challenges.
While the comparison between the effectiveness of invertebrates and pesticides was not direct, the negative impacts of pesticides on ecosystems and biological diversity have been well-documented. The study suggests that natural predators offer more eco-friendly and sustainable approach to pest control, showing the effects that pesticides can have on ecosystems, biodiversity, water, soil pollution, and human health.
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The research also found that natural predators were very effective in regions with higher rain variability, which is expected to increase due to climate change. Surprisingly, having a single species of predator was just as effective as having multiple species, challenging the notion that biodiversity is a must for ecosystem efficiency.
Boldorini stressed the significance of conserving invertebrate species as they play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance, pest control, and improving crop productivity sustainably amidst changing environmental conditions.
