pest management

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Viruses Spread by Insects to Crops Sound Scary. The Military Calls It Food Security.

Emily Baumgaertner (2018). Viruses Spread by Insects to Crops Sound Scary. The Military Calls It Food Security. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/04/science/darpa-gene-editing.html on 2018-11-17

There is a developing weapon considered and used as a new type of threat. Darpa (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) has created insects which carry viruses ultimately to genetically modify crops. Modified crops can then supposedly have the ability to withstand just about any natural disaster. However, insects can also carry viruses to destroy acres of crops. The growing dispute is whether the endeavor is considered ethical. Some argue that the virus is like a plague or disease, unable to be controlled. Others believe that the new advance in technology can save millions of crops in unstainable areas in an effective and cost friendly manner.

Pests which carry viruses that impact crops are essential in developing crop land throughout the United States, however there may be severe repercussions. The effects of such technology could be historical and studied for decades in environmental science. As environmental science deals with the interactions between nature, seeing wildlife coexist to benefit or harm one another, learning how pests may change the world is essential. I believe and hope that with the rise of any technology, impairments can be maintained while advantages can be utilized. Although seemingly scary advancement are necessary to humanity’s survival and just like any revolution, another agricultural revolution is bound to happen in one form or another.

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The Bugs Are Coming, and They’ll Want More of Our Food

Kendra Pierre-Louis. (2018). The Bugs Are Coming, and They’ll Want More of Our Food. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/30/climate/insects-eating-more-crops.html on 2018-11-17

Since global temperatures have risen, the uproar in insect reproduction and infestation of farmer crops have become a problem. According to the article, a degree Celsius increase above global historical average, the amount of wheat, corn, and rice lost is about 10 to 25 percent. Although beneficial insects that can suppress pests and maintain an acceptable amount of damage, higher temperatures are overall bad for crops. When higher temperatures do occur, crops are more likely to dry of thirst. For areas that aren’t heated teeming with crops, a remedy could be injecting pesticides, however it may only be a band aid. The real issue of greenhouse gas emissions needs to be tended to, not creating “a million Band-Aids,” states the author.

The severity of a larger issue has become a façade through addressing pests. Climate change, although seemingly unrelated to pests has become an issue trickled down to the fundamental aspects of environmental science. An idea mentioned in a previous chapter was agriculture being with worst mistake in history. Having an abundance of crops compacted together and readily accessible for pests to indulge on does not help the farmer nor the community. It forces the use of dangerous pesticides for acres of fields. At the end of the day, it’s not really the pests at fault — it’s humans — as we are mass producing heat.

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Weed Management

Ongoing research continually proves that there are health hazards of chemicals used to control weeds. They have been shown to affect people and plants including those under the soil surface. For example, “2-4-D, used for selective weed control in turf is a proven carcinogen”. The author believes that there are numerous alternatives to use in place of chemicals for weed control. Weeds are believed by the author to be evidence of nature working to restore natural succession and biodiversity. And biodiversity is significant because Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. Large areas of bare soil are not natural and should be covered or planted to avoid not just weeds, but erosion from natural forces. Anything that covers the bare ground will discourage the weeds.

 

This article revolves around the hazardousness of chemicals used to control weeds and the different forms to ward of the dangerous health risks brought by the chemicals . This article relates to environmental science, because pest management is one of the many branches of environmental science. The pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property is a factor that this article mentions. Because using chemicals for weed control is dangerous it should be banned and replaced with healthier and safe methods. The author proposes that “Mechanical weed control is, in many areas, a viable alternative to the use of herbicides.”

 

Weed Management | Ganna Walska Lotusland. (2015, November 14). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.lotusland.org/learn-green-practices/managing-plants-and-pests/weed-management/

 

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Chemists Increases Crop Efficiency

Acoba, P. (2015, November 16).  Sacramento Chemist Uses Technology To Increase Crop Efficiency. CBS Sacramento. Retrieved November 22, 2015 from http:// sacramento.cbslocal.com/2015/11/16/sacramento-chemist-uses-technology-to-increase- crop-efficiency/

This article is about Tamara Mergelman and how she looks at the microbes of plants and how to make them more efficient. She talks about her background in chemistry and how that has created her to be able to increase crop efficiency by a lot, which helps out farmers and the whole agricultural industry. She makes them more efficient by creating them to repel pests and diseases.

This article relates to pest management because it shows how modern technology is altering the plant itself to repel pests and therefore become a lot more efficient. Tis relates to environmental science because it shows how modern technology is advancing in relations to agriculture and the food we eat. Hopefully in enough years there will  be no need for dangerous chemicals, the plants themselves will be able to repel pests. I think this is an amazing achievement to be able to alter plants themselves to prevent pests and diseases. It is also an amazing achievement to see the advances of chemistry an d how that is relating to our food.

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Farmer said Pesticides are Safe on California Farms

Wenger, P. (2015, November 17). Another View: Pesticides are Used Safely on California Farms. Sacramento Bee. Retrieved November 22, 2015 from http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/ op-ed/soapbox/article45248259.html

A farmer responds to the overall negative view of pesticides. He says that Roundup, which is a popular type of pesticide, which he personally uses is safe. He says that Californians need to consider that the food grown here is the safest for workers and people than anywhere else. This type of pesticide control weeds and is a type of herbivore that is safe.

This article relates to pest management because it shows how the public over reacts with chemical pesticides which are used for pest management in this cast weeds. The control of weeds on farms has caused controversy which this farmer addresses. This article relates to environmental science because it shows the different viewpoints when safety and the wellbeing of the environment is concerned.  I think that is is very interesting to hear the perspective of a farmer and to know that not all pesticides are harmful and how good the current system in California is. It is reassuring that there are still safe waist to control pests.

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Banning Herbicides from S.F. Parks Petition Gains Popularity

Johnson, L. (2015, October 30). Petition Grows in Effort to Ban Herbicides from S.F.’s Parks. SF Chronicle. Retrieved November 22, 2015 from http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/ article/Petition-grows-in-effort-to-ban-herbicide-from-6602285.php

Over 7,000 people have signed the petition against the use of harmful pesticides that were considered probably carcinogenic from San Francisco Parks. People have been conceded by the fact that dogs and small children are playing in the grass which is covered with these harmful pesticides and how that is unsafe. Originally placed to stop the growth of eucalyptus tree stumps, people have petitioned against this pest management for safety concerns.

This article relates to pest management because it is the way of pet management has caused public concern. harsh chemicals used in modern pest management seem to overall cause concern with the public. This relates to the environmental science because it shows modern technology putting public safety at risk. I think it is good that people are standing up against these harsh chemicals and hopefully that will provoke a response to the companies that make them, or in this case the officials who use them to realize the public wants a more natural option. It is good that the public can voice their options especially when the safety of children or animals comes into play.

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Appeal for Light Brown Apple Moth Heard in Court

Clark, S. (2015, November 20). Court Hears Appeal for Light Brown Apple Moth Environmental Review. Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved November 22, 2015 from http:// www.santacruzsentinel.com/environment-and-nature/20151120/court-hears-appeal-for- light-brown-apple-moth-environmental-review

People rallied from Santa Cruz and around California to repeal the decision from the California Department of Food and Agriculture of spraying harsh chemical on crops. The Light Brown Apple Moth is an invasive species, which is destroying many plants. However, an appeal was made to not spray these harsh chemicals because it is destroying the air quality. The moth is a danger which the people acknowledge but they look to find a more environmentally concuss way.

This article relates to pest management because it is important to control the moth but also to make sure it is in a safe way to all. This related to environmental science because it shows how different environment groups can actually change regulations and actually have a say. It also relates because it is important to be considerate of the environment and not just of trying to rid the pest. I think it is very good that people rallied together for their own health but also for the health of the state. This article showed me that people can actually have a  say in what is happening.

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EPA Creates Rules To Protect Farmworkers From Pesticides

Charles, D. (2015, September 28). EPA Announces New Rules To Protect Farmworkers From Pesticides. KQED Food. Retrieved November 22, 2015 from http://ww2.kqed.org/ bayareabites/2015/09/28/epa-announces-new-rules-to-protect-farmworkers-from- pesticides/

The EPA estimates 10,000 to 20,000 workers are poisoned by pesticides each year. They have decided to come out with regulations that should take effect nationwide conceding the health of workers in relations to pesticides. California has already implemented many of the regulations and has what seems to be high standards when it comes to safety. However, some farmers who have been fighting for over 20 years want more regulations in concern with being seen regularly by a medical professional to ensure their safety.

California has taken a stance on workers rights and has changed them before the EPA even came out with this list. Even though there is still room for growth, California seems to be on the better end of states as well as Washington. This article relates to pest management because it shows the unfortunate and sad side that comes along with pest management in modern agriculture. We have created such toxic chemicals to deter and poison pests that they are harming humans. The EPA has made regulations that will hopefully ensure a more natural way of pest management that will not ham workers. This article relates to environmental science because it shows the downside of pest management in relations to health, which also indicate the harm that these chemicals would be doing on the soil and the earth in general. I think these regulations are very good. People and workers right need to be protected especially from such harsh chemicals.

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Management of Rats Increases the Ancient Galapagos Tortoise Population

Engelking, C. (2015, January 19) Galapagos Tortoises Makes a Comeback, Thanks to Rat Eradication: Discover Magazine. Discover Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2015 http:// blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2015/01/19/galapagos-tortoises-comeback-rat- eradication/#.Vc7u1e1VhHw

One of the most ancient and throated species the Galapagos Tortoises flourish again. Since 1959 the conservation procedures in the Pinzon Inland have dramatically increased the tortoise population. The species had been attacked by the Pinzon rat that would eat the eggs. Conservation procedures like having mounds with rat poison on top, and creating small entrances to where the eggs are being hacked as decreed the rat population and increased the Galapagos Tortoise population.

This article relates to Environmental Science because of Darwin and how the creator of evolution went and studied animals like the Galapagos Tortoise and how now the species was at risk of extinction. This article also shows how pest management can save a species. My reaction to this article was positive and it showed a picture of a baby Galapagos Tortoise and it was very cute. I am glad there are people who are saving these species especially since the Galapagos holds an incredible amount of scientific history because of Darwin.

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Hope for Genetically Modified Wheat to Repel Pests Fails

Cressey, D. (2015, June 25). GM Wheat That Emits Pest Alarm Signals Fails in Field Trials: Scientific American. Science News, Articles, and Information | Scientific American. Retrieved August 14, 2015 http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/gm-wheat-that- emits-pest-alarm-signals-fails-in-field-trials/

Scientists tested if GM wheat could repel aphids in the Rothanmsted Research institute in London, there was positive results in the lab. These scientists created an alarms using pheromones that could ward of the aphids and thus use less insecticide. When they tested the wheat outside the lab there was no decrease of aphids. Francois Verheggen, pest management at the University of Liege in Beligum said the results would not work till around day 71 so that is why it failed. Jonathan Gershenzon who studies plants in Germany said continuous emissions would not work and that is why it failed.

This article relates to environmental science because it shows the evolution of science relating to foo production with GM wheat and even beyond that being able to control and alter pheromones in plants. Even though in the field the wheat did not repel the aphids in the labs they did which shows success in itself. Hopefully in the future there will be successful trials in the field which would be able to reduce the amount of chemical insecticide on the crops. I support this article and the scientists in wanting GM crops because that is the future and I enjoyed how the article include feedback from other scientists because it almost seemed like a dialog which was pleasant as to read.