Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Advantages and Potential Threats of Agrochemicals on Biodiversity Conservation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Biodiversity in Africa: Potentials, Threats and Conservation

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development and Biodiversity ((SDEB,volume 29))

Abstract

The use of agrochemicals in agriculture as a tool for generating increase in agricultural production per unit of inputs has both its merits and demerits. Agrochemicals have been a useful tool in the intensive development of agriculture over the centuries. While agricultural intensification is necessary for meeting the food needs of the world’s ever-increasing population, it has undoubtedly resulted in the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Changes in agricultural management practices and intensities of production, and changes in the vegetative diversity in an agroecosystem are issues that are closely linked to one another. The development and use of agrochemicals have greatly helped in keeping up with world food demands, but the effects they have on plant and animal life, the integrity of our soil and water, as well as the health of the environment as a whole should not be overlooked. Mankind cannot do without farming the land for his food and livelihood, but in tackling the problems of hunger and nutrition, attention must not only be paid to boosting food production, improving livelihoods and creating resilient food systems, but also to protecting and sustaining our natural ecosystem and resources. Activities such as plowing, harrowing, as well as the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides have been shown to have significant effects on the environment. Structure of modern agriculture gradually and continually eliminates biological diversity which is the foundation of any stable and productive ecosystem. This situation pushes forward the question of if technological progress (with a major focus on the use of chemicals for plant protection and increased yield) without due respect to biodiversity principles can bring about the environmentally friendly agriculture that is necessary for sustainable development. It is therefore necessary to examine the threats that exists as a result of the use (and misuse) of agrochemicals, and what exactly these existing threats portend for biodiversity. In this light, this chapter will examine in great depth, the advantages and threats of agrochemicals on biodiversity conservation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abate T, van Huis A, Ampofo JK (2000) Pest management strategies in traditional agriculture: an African perspective. Annu Rev Entomol 45:631–659. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.45.1.631

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adu P, Forkuo EK, Issah A, Asumadu IO, Cadman-Sackey E, Quarshie AA et al (2019) High incidence of moderately reduced renal function and lead bioaccumulation in agricultural workers in Assin south district, Ghana: a community-based case-control study. Int J Nephrol 2019:5368427. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5368427

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Agapow P (2004) The impact of species concept biodiversity studies. Q Rev Biol 79:161–179

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Agnihotri N (2000) Pesticide consumption in Agriculture in India-an update. Pestic Res J 12:150–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Altieri M, Uphoff N (2001) Alternatives to conventional modern agriculture for meeting food needs in the next century. Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture Development, Ithaca, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrade C, Villers A, Balent G (2020) A real-world implementation of a nationwide, long-term monitoring program to assess the impact of agrochemicals and agricultural practices on biodiversity. Ecol Evol 11:3771–3793. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arévalo-Jaramillo P, Idrobo A, Salcedo L, Cabrera A, Vintimilla A, Carrión M et al (2019) Biochemical and genotoxic effects in women exposed to pesticides in Southern Ecuador. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:24911–24921. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05725-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boatman ND, Brickle NW, Hart JD, Milsom TP, Morris AJ, Murray AWA et al (2004) Evidence for the indirect effects of pesticides on farmland birds. Ibis 146:131–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bressers H (2007) Contextual interaction theory and the issue of boundary definition: governance and the motivation, cognitions and resources of actors contribution to theoretical framework. In: CSTM series studies and reports. University of Twente, Institute for Governance Studies, Enschede

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruhl CA, Schmidt T, Pieper S, Alscher A (2013) Terrestrial pesticide exposure of amphibians: an underestimated cause of global decline? Sci Rep 3:1135. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep01135

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Carriger JF, Rand GM, Gardinali PR, Perry WB, Tompkins MS, Fernandez AM (2006) Pesticides of potential ecological concern in sediment from South Florida canals: an ecological risk prioritization for aquatic arthropods. Soil Sediment Contam 15:21–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chhonkar PK (2002) Organic farming myth and reality. In: Proceedings of the FAI Seminar on Fertilizer and Agriculture Meeting the Challenges, New Delhi, India, December 2002

    Google Scholar 

  • De Bon H, Huat J, Parrot L, Sinzogan A, Martin T, Malezieux E, Vayssieres JF (2014) Pesticide risks from fruit and vegetable pest management by small farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 34(4):723–736

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deytieux V, Munier-Jolain N, Caneill J (2016) Assessing the sustainability of cropping systems in single- and multi-site studies. A review of methods. Eur J Agron 72:107–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dhaliwal GS, Singh R, Chhillar BS (2006) Essentials of agricultural entomology. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhananjayan V, Jayanthi P, Jayakumar S, Ravichandran B (2020) Agrochemicals impact on ecosystem and bio-monitoring. In: Kumar S, Meena RS, Jhariya MK (eds) Resources use efficiency in agriculture. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6953-1_11

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Drinkwater LE, Wagoner P, Sarrantonio M (1998) Legume-based cropping systems have reduced carbon and nitrogen losses. Nature 396:262–265

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fimyar O (2014) What is policy? In search of frameworks and definitions for non-Western contexts. Educate 14(3):6–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Foley JA, Defries R, Asner GP, Barford C, Bonan G, Carpeter S et al (2005) Global consequences of land use. Science 8:570–574

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Franke-Snyder M, Douds DD, Galvez L, Phillips JG, Wagoner P, Drinkwater L et al (2001) Diversity of communities of AM present in conventional versus low-input agricultural sites in eastern Pennsylvania, USA. Appl Soil Ecol 16:35–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gill HK, Garg H (2014) Pesticides: environmental impacts and management strategies. In: Larramendy ML, Soloneski S (eds) Pesticides - toxic aspects. IntechOpen, London, pp 1–40. https://doi.org/10.5772/57399

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hepperly P, Seidel R, Pimentel D, Hanson J, Douds D (2007) Organic farming enhances soil carbon and its benefits. In: Kimble J, Rice C, Reed D, Mooney S, Follet R et al (eds) Soil carbon management, economic, environmental and societal benefits. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp 129–153. 268 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Hole DG, Perkins AJ, Wilson JD, Alexander IH, Grice F, Evans AD (2005) Does organic farming benefit biodiversity? Biol Conserv 122:113–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houndete TA, Ketoh GK, Hema OS, Brevault T, Glitho IA, Martin T (2010) Insecticide resistance in field populations of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in West Africa. Pest Manag Sci 66(11):1181–1185. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.2008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jallow MFA, Awadh DG, Albaho MS, Devi VY, Ahmad N (2017) Monitoring of pesticide residues in commonly used fruits and vegetables in Kuwait. Int J Environ Res Public Health 14(8):2017

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jayasumana C, Fonseka S, Fernando A, Jayalath K, Amarasinghe M, Siribaddana S et al (2015) Phosphate fertilizer is a main source of arsenic in areas affected with chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology in Sri Lanka. Springer Plus 4:90

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeff M, Kris N, Vijay B (2017) A fifteen year review summarizing effects of conventional and organic farming systems on soils, nutrition, environment, economics and yields (1981-1995). Agric Res Technol Open Access J 6(1):555675. https://doi.org/10.19080/ARTOAJ.2017.06.555678

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jepson PC, Guzy M, Blaustein K, Sow M, Sarr M, Mineau P, Kegley S (2014) Measuring pesticide ecological and health risks in West African agriculture to establish an enabling environment for sustainable intensification. Philos Trans R Soc Lond Ser B Biol Sci 369(1639):20130491. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2013.0491

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kittusamy G, Kandaswamy C, Kandan N, Subramanian M (2014) Pesticide residues in two frog species in a paddy agroecosystem in Palakkad District, Kerala, India. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 93(6):728–734

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kwakye MO, Mengisti B, Ofosu-Anim J, Nuer ATK, Van den Brink PJ (2019) Pesticide registration, distribution and use practices in Ghana. Environ Dev Sustain 21:2667–2691

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (2003) Global potential of soil carbon sequestration to mitigate greenhouse effect. Crit Rev Plant Sci 22(2):151–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamichhane JR, Dachbrodt-Saaydeh S, Kudsk P, Messéan A (2016) Toward a reduced reliance on conventional pesticides in European agriculture. Plant Dis 100:10–24

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Majeed A (2018) Application of agrochemicals in agriculture: benefits, risks and responsibility of stakeholders. J Food Sci Toxicol 2(1):3

    Google Scholar 

  • Marja R, Herzon I, Viik E, Elts J, Mand M, Tscharntke T et al (2014) Environmentally friendly management as an intermediate strategy between organic and conventional agriculture to support biodiversity. Biol Conserv 178:146–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mengistie BT, Mol PJ, Oosterveer P, Simane B (2014) Information, motivation and resources: the missing elements in agricultural pesticide policy implementation in Ethiopia. Int J Agric Sustain 13(3):240–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mostafalou S, Abdollahi M (2012) Concerns of environmental persistence of pesticides and human chronic diseases. Clin Exp Pharmacol S5:e002. https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-1459.S5-e002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mostafalou S, Abdollahi M (2013) Pesticides and human chronic diseases: evidences, mechanisms, and perspectives. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 268:157–177

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen UN, Wall DH, Six J (2015) Soil biodiversity and the environment. Annu Rev Environ Resour 40:63–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyirenda SP, Sileshi GW, Belmain SR, Kamanula JF, Mvumi BM, Sola P et al (2011) Farmers’ ethno-ecological knowledge of vegetable pests and pesticidal plant use in Malawi and Zambia. Afr J Agric Res 6(6):1525–1537

    Google Scholar 

  • Obopile M, Munthali D, Matilo B (2008) Farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and management of vegetable pests and diseases in Botswana. Crop Prot 27(8):1220–1224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oluwole O, Cheke RA (2009) Health and environmental impacts of pesticide use practices: a case study of farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Int J Agric Sustain 7(3):153–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parks CG, Hoppin JA, De Roos AJ, Costenbader KH, Alavanja MC (2016) Rheumatoid arthritis in agricultural health study spouses: association with pesticides and other farm exposures. Environ Health Perspect 124:1728

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira JL, Antunes SC, Ferreira AC, Goncalves F, Pereira R (2010) Avoidance behavior of earthworms under exposure to pesticides: is it always chemosensorial? J Environ Sci Health B 45(3):229–232. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601231003613625

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rathoure AK, Patel TK (2020) Techniques to assess animal diversity: faunal diversity assessment. In: Current state and future impact of climate change on biodiversity. IGI Global, Hershey, PA, pp 238–247

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Requena M, López-Villén A, Hernández AF, Tesifón P, Ángela N, Raquel A (2019) Environmental exposure to pesticides and risk of thyroid diseases. Toxicol Lett 315:55–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.08.017

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider MK, Luscher G, Jeanneret P, Arndorfer M, Ammari Y, Bailey D et al (2014) Gains to species diversity in organically farmed fields are not propagated at the farm level. Nat Commun 5:4151

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scholz NL, Fleishman E, Brown L, Werner I, Johnson ML, Brooks ML, Michaelmore CL, Schlenk D (2012) A perspective on modern pesticides, pelagic fish declines, and unknown ecological resilience in highly managed ecosystems. BioScience 62:428–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma A, Kumar V, Shahzad B, Tanveer M, Sidhu G, Handa M et al (2019) Worldwide pesticide usage and its impacts on ecosystem. SN Appl Sci 1:1446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-1485-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Snyder J, Smart J, Goeb J, Tschirley D (2015) Pesticide use in sub-Saharan Africa: estimates, projections, and implications in the context of food system transformation. In: IIAM Research Report No. 8E. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.230980

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sobel ES, Gianini J, Butfiloski EJ, Croker BP, Schiffenbauer J, Roberts SM (2005) Acceleration of autoimmunity by organochlorine pesticides in (NZB × NZW)F 1 mice. Environ Health Perspect 113(3):323–328

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor MD, Klaine SJ, Carvalho FP, Barcelo D (2002) Pesticide residues in coastal tropical ecosystems: distribution, fate and effects. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Trabelsi M, Mandart E, Le Grusse P, Bord JP (2016) How to measure the agroecological performance of farming in order to assist with the transition process. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 23:139–156

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Udeigwe TK, Teboh JM, Eze PN, Stietiya MH, Kumar V, Hendrix J et al (2015) Implications of leading crop production practices on environmental quality and human health. J Environ Manag 151:267–279

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • UNEP (2007) Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi. http://www.pops.int

    Google Scholar 

  • Valcke M, Bourgault MH, Rochette L, Normandin L, Samuel O, Belleville D et al (2017) Human health risk assessment on the consumption of fruits and vegetables containing residual pesticides: a cancer and non-cancer risk/benefit perspective. Environ Int 108:63–74

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van der Valk H (2003) Strategic program for pesticide management in the Sahel: a vision for 2003–2007. Sahelian Pesticide Committee (CSP)

    Google Scholar 

  • Velten S, Leventon J, Jager N, Newig J (2015) What is sustainable agriculture? A systematic review. Sustainability 7:7833

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Werf HM (1996) Assessing the impact of pesticides on the environment. Agric Ecosyst Environ 60(2–3):81–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williamson S, Ball A, Pretty J (2008) Trends in pesticide use and drivers for safer pest management in four African countries. Crop Prot 27(10):1327–1334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winqvist C, Ahnström J, Bengtsson J (2012) Effects of organic farming on biodiversity and ecosystem services: taking landscape complexity into account. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1249:191–203

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wunder S, Wertz Kanounnikoff S (2009) Payments for ecosystem services: a new way of Conserving Biodiversity in forests. J Sustain For 28(3–5):576–596

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav SK, Subhash B, Yadav MK, Kalyan S, Yadav GS, Suresh P (2013) A review of organic farming for sustainable agriculture in Northern India. Int J Agron 2013:718145

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Global Affairs and Sustainable Development Institute (GASDI), Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria

    O. P. Babafemi & Qudrat Solape Adebayo

  2. Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Management, College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria

    Adams Ovie Iyiola

  3. Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Production and Management, College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria

    Abiola Elizabeth Ojeleye

Authors
  1. O. P. Babafemi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Adams Ovie Iyiola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Abiola Elizabeth Ojeleye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Qudrat Solape Adebayo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adams Ovie Iyiola .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

    Sylvester Chibueze Izah

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Babafemi, O.P., Iyiola, A.O., Ojeleye, A.E., Adebayo, Q.S. (2022). Advantages and Potential Threats of Agrochemicals on Biodiversity Conservation. In: Chibueze Izah, S. (eds) Biodiversity in Africa: Potentials, Threats and Conservation. Sustainable Development and Biodiversity, vol 29. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-3326-4_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation