An Insight Into the Impact of Arable Farming on Irish Biodiversity: A Scarcity of Studies Hinders a Rigorous Assessment

O’Brien, Martin; Spillane, Charles; Meade, Conor; Mullins, Ewen

doi:10.3318/bioe.2008.108.2.97

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…At farm level, declines in biodiversity associated with a higher intensity of farming have been recorded. O'Brien et al (2008) CAP reforms also included other measures for farmers to mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture. Since 1994, it has been compulsory for each EU member state to have agri-environment schemes (AES).…”

Section: The Impact Of Agricultural Growth and Intensification On Farm Biodiversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature and agriculture: a future of divergence or convergence?

McGurn¹,

McKay²

2020

Biology and Environment

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Agriculture is a major contributor to biodiversity loss across the world and Ireland is not immune from the losses in plant and animal life. Yet despite the declines in certain plant and animal species across the country, agricultural intensification continues. This paper firstly considers the driver for agricultural growth and intensification. This is followed by an overview of the impact of agricultural growth and intensification on farm biodiversity. The case for nature-based farming as a means of mitigating these impacts is presented and there is consideration of the supports needed for such approaches and some examples of existing support programmes. The paper concludes with a discussion detailing that an agricultural policy with food production as the only market outlet will lead to further biodiversity declines. To reverse this, within a subsidised agriculture there needs to be a market for the supply of other services such as biodiversity. Otherwise, the farmers are carrying the costs of providing these other services, which is unsustainable.

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Section: The Impact Of Agricultural Growth and Intensification On Farm Biodiversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature and agriculture: a future of divergence or convergence?

McGurn¹,

McKay²

2020

Biology and Environment

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“…Metaldehyde and methiocarb compounds have proven to be toxic to a range of vertebrates (Fletcher et al , 1994), as well as to some species of isopods (Santos et al , 2010), with methiocarb being toxic to a number of beneficial invertebrates, such as carabid beetles and earthworms (Purvis & Bannon, 1992). In addition, growers often overuse slug pellets, as they are unaware of the intensity of their slug populations, resulting in such exaggerated environmental problems as surface wash-off after heavy rain (O'Brien et al , 2008). As a result, the European Union has voted to ban methiocarb across Europe, due to the effects of the pesticide on key organisms (Jones, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nematodes that associate with terrestrial molluscs as definitive hosts, includingPhasmarhabditis hermaphrodita(Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) and its development as a biological molluscicide

2016

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Terrestrial molluscs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) are important economic pests worldwide, causing extensive damage to a variety of crop types, and posing a health risk to both humans and wildlife. Current knowledge indicates that there are eight nematode families that associate with molluscs as definitive hosts, including Agfidae, Alaninematidae, Alloionematidae, Angiostomatidae, Cosmocercidae, Diplogastridae, Mermithidae and Rhabditidae. To date, Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Schneider, 1859) Andrássy, 1983 (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) is the only nematode that has been developed as a biological molluscicide. The nematode, which was commercially released in 1994 by MicroBio Ltd, Littlehampton, UK (formally Becker Underwood, now BASF) under the tradename Nemaslug®, is now sold in 15 different European countries. This paper reviews nematodes isolated from molluscs, with specially detailed information on the life cycle, host range, commercialization, natural distribution, mass production and field application of P. hermaphrodita.

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“…When looking at the potential impact of any GM plant in the Irish flora it is necessary to outline the current state of knowledge, but previous studies have demonstrated the lack of research on the impact of crops on the Irish agri-environment (O'Brien et al 2008). Flora surveys are likewise poor.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Impact of Pollen-mediated Gene Flow from GM Herbicide Tolerant <i>Brassica Napus</i> into Common Wild Relatives in Ireland

Collier¹,

Mullins²

2012

Biology & Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Acade

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Although now we have had many years of research completed on assessing the potential environmental impact of GM crops, concern remains over their potential impact on biodiversity in the rural landscape. In particular, issues have arisen in regards to the modification of crops with traits that could introgress into sexually compatible wild relatives. In contrast to wheat, barley, potato and maize, Brassica napus (oilseed rape) is the only commercial crop grown in Ireland at present with the potential to successfully transfer its DNA, via pollen-mediated gene flow, into inter-related weed species. This review details the species in question and by examining the relevant literature that relates to Irish agronomic conditions, demonstrates that gene flow is likely to occur, especially to an earlier used cultivar, Brassica rapa. However, the critical factor remains not that GM traits will flow from the commercial source but what might the consequences of said gene flow events be. This review indicates that the conferred trait in question (in this case, herbicide tolerance) can only impact on weed diversity in the presence of selecting herbicide action. In the absence of the herbicide, the GM traits will be lost from the wild species over time and will not confer any selective advantage that could facilitate population growth.

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An Insight Into the Impact of Arable Farming on Irish Biodiversity: A Scarcity of Studies Hinders a Rigorous Assessment

Cited by 6 publications

References 43 publications

Nature and agriculture: a future of divergence or convergence?

Nature and agriculture: a future of divergence or convergence?

Nematodes that associate with terrestrial molluscs as definitive hosts, includingPhasmarhabditis hermaphrodita(Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) and its development as a biological molluscicide

Assessing the Impact of Pollen-mediated Gene Flow from GM Herbicide Tolerant <i>Brassica Napus</i> into Common Wild Relatives in Ireland

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