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The side effects from the use of plant protection products and their potential effects on non-target arthropods (NTAs) such as honey bees, other insects within the vegetation layer and epigeic arthropods nowadays receive more attention. However, uncertainties about the factors driving the deposition of active substances (a.s.) into off-crop areas persist, in particular during sowing of treated seeds. Analysing a highly standardised 8-year field experiment, we assessed the importance of various factors potentially affecting dust drift and deposition of a.s., emitted during the sowing process of treated seeds and deposited on fields adjacent to the drilling field, i.e. on the ground, on flowers, and on nonflowering plant parts. Regarding a.s. deposition, the Heubach a.s. value has a predictive capability, which is independent from all other factors taken into account in this study, and can thus be considered as a scenario-independent measure of potential dust deposition. Petri dish samplers, an established standard method for measuring a.s. deposition, were representative of the results from the plant samplers for a given combination of drilling technique and adjacent crop type. Adjacent crop type is likely to impact on a.s. deposition. The present work will enable a more field-realistic exposure assessment for bees and other NTAs.

Global human population growth is associated with many problems, such as food and water provision, political conflicts, spread of diseases, and environmental destruction. The mitigation of these problems is mirrored in several global conventions and programs, some of which, however, are conflicting. Here, we discuss the conflicts between biodiversity conservation and disease eradication. Numerous health programs aim at eradicating pathogens, and many focus on the eradication of vectors, such as mosquitos or other parasites. As a case study, we focus on the "Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign," which aims at eradicating a pathogen (Trypanosoma) as well as its vector, the entire group of tsetse flies (Glossinidae). As the distribution of tsetse flies largely overlaps with the African hotspots of freshwater biodiversity, we argue for a strong consideration of environmental issues when applying vector control measures, especially the aerial applications of insecticides. Furthermore, we want to stimulate discussions on the value of species and whether full eradication of a pathogen or vector is justified at all. Finally, we call for a stronger harmonization of international conventions. Proper environmental impact assessments need to be conducted before control or eradication programs are carried out to minimize negative effects on biodiversity.

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Von 2012 bis 2013 wurden Wildbienen in Weinbausteillagen mittels Sichtfang, Farbschalen und Malaise-Fallen erfasst. Aus 3246 bestimmten Individuen resultierten 159 nachgewiesene Wildbienenarten. Fast ein Drittel der erfassten Arten ist als bestandsgefahrdet zu bezeichnen oder von Bestandsruckgangen betroffen. Im Vergleich mit Erfassungsergebnissen aus dem naheren Umkreis deuten die vorliegenden Ergebnisse auf eine grose Bedeutung der untersuchten Weinbausteillagen als (Teil-)Lebensraume hin, die der regionalen Artenvielfalt der Bienen zugrunde liegen.

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