Journal or Publishing Institution: Peter Lang
Author(s): Wagner, N., Reichenbecher, W., Teichmann, B., Tappeser, B. and Lötters, S.
Article Type: Book
Record ID: 1022
Abstract: Since the introduction of genetically modified herbicide-resistant crops in 1996, the use of complementary herbicides, especially glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH), continues to grow at the global scale. By reviewing relevant literature, we investigated to what extent anuran amphibians are affected by GBH. The impact of GBH on these vertebrates depends on the herbicide formulation, the species considered and its life-stage. Only little is known about the glyphosate (GLY) concentrations prevailing in the animals’ habitats and virtually nothing is known about environmental pollution by further substances contained in herbicide formulations. Therefore, GLY levels deduced from limited measurements can only be seen as approximations for contamination of anuran habitats with GBH. Co-stressors mostly increase negative effects of GBH to anurans and can render apparently harmless GBH concentrations harmful. We recommend to create an anuran test battery which should be mandatory with each pesticide formulation for registration. Amphibian populations are declining due to multiple stressors, but especially due to over-application and missing buffer strips GBH use may become a main stressor for populations in intensively used agrarian landscapes. We strongly recommend standardized monitoring of both amphibian populations and GBH in the environment.
Citation: Wagner, N., Reichenbecher, W., Teichmann, B., Tappeser, B. and Lötters, S., 2012. Are frogs and toads affected by complementary herbicides of GM crops? In Eds. Breckling, B., and Verhoeven, Richard, GM-Crop Cultivation–Ecological Effects on a Landscape Scale–Proceedings of the Third GMLS-Conference (pp. 125-129). Peter Lang.
