Tree Belts for Decreasing Aeolian Dust-Carried Pesticides from Cultivated Areas

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this study was to investigate the function of tree belts in reducing the aeolian transport of dust particles carrying pesticides. The study examined the importance of the buffer zones created by commonly planted trees (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Pinus halepensis (pine) and Ceratonia siliqua (carob)). The methods include analyzing the quantity and the chemical composition of pesticides carried by aeolian dust particles from the intensively cultivated fields and orchards, where pesticides were applied, towards the tree belts nearby. Eighteen different chemicals used as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, were found both in the agricultural fields and in the adjacent tree belts, suggesting an important function of the trees. This ecological service has rarely been taken into consideration by management policies of tree plantings in farmland areas. To integrate this service into agriculture, especially in the case of agricultural fields and orchards, which are adjacent to populated areas, planting tree belts should be positively considered as a means for reducing aeolian dust and air pollution, mainly in order to reduce leakage of pesticides, which are a cause for significant health concerns.

Crop proximity index for monitoring of peri-urban land use in agro-industrial crop regions

“…(1) since, together, these two classes would act as barriers to the drift of pesticides, being one of the most effective forms of mitigation according to scientific research ( Brown et al., 2004 ; Ucar and Hall, 2001 ). In addition, recent research shows that tree barriers not only act to stop the primary drift of pesticides, they also prevent the spread of crop dust containing agrochemicals and other pollutants from this activity such as heavy metals ( Zaady et al., 2018 ). Windbreaks mitigate pesticide drift by entrapment of spray droplets on the structure of the windbreak and pattern modification of the wind velocity profile as air passes over and through it ( Brown et al., 2004 ; Wenneker and van de Zande, 2008 ).…”

“…United States, Brazil and Argentina are the three main crop-producing countries using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the world, with over 139 million hectares planted annually in recent years ( Slater and Holtslander, 2015 ). For this type of crop the ever-increasing use of the amount of pesticides generates growing concern among the population and governments in different parts of the world due to the numerous evidence of their negative effects on health ( Aiassa et al., 2009 ; Benítez-Leite et al., 2009 ; Bernardi et al., 2015 ; Gómez-Barroso et al., 2016 ; Guyton et al., 2015 ; Loomis et al., 2015 ; López et al., 2012 ; Mendez et al., 2017 ; Singh et al., 2018 ; Swanson et al., 2014 ; Tsatsakis et al., 2017 ) and the environment ( Aizen et al., 2009 ; Alonso et al., 2018 ; Guida-Johnson and Zuleta, 2013 ; Piquer-Rodríguez et al., 2018 ; Primost et al., 2017 ; Singh et al., 2018 ; Tsatsakis et al., 2017 ; Zaady et al., 2018 ).…”

“…The agro-industrial model, in many instances, takes place very close to densely populated cities, exposing the people who live in these areas to the possible pesticide contamination ( Aiassa et al., 2009 ; Etiennot and Piazza, 2010 ; López et al., 2012 ; Primost et al., 2017 ; Singh et al., 2018 ; Soo-Jeong et al., 2011 ; Trajkovska et al., 2009 ; Vida and Moretto, 2007 ). This exposure occurs because there are multiple pathways of contact with pesticides or their residues: off-target spray drift, volatilization, drag by wind or rain, soil erosion, leaching, runoff and atmospheric drift ( Alonso et al., 2018 ; Deziel Nicole et al., 2015 ; Garcerá et al., 2017 ; Mendez et al., 2017 ; Mugni et al., 2011 ; Primost et al., 2017 ; Singh et al., 2018 ; Zaady et al., 2018 ). In addition, there are numerous factors that should be taken into account to avoid or minimize the pesticides off-target spray drift: the droplet size, nozzle types, spray pressure, formulation adjuvants, wind direction, wind speed, air stability, relative humidity, temperature, the height of released spray relative to the target crop, volumes per area sprayed and fumigation equipment speed ( Felsot et al., 2010 ).…”

Temperate Agroforestry Systems and Insect Pollinators: A Review

“…[ [143][144][145][146] Adaptation to climate change Agroforestry practices may offer ecological niches that allow pollinators to find suitable sites for thermal regulation under increasing temperatures and may serve as corridors and stepping stones to facilitate pollinator range shifts due to climate change. Landscapes that have a higher proportion of semi-natural habitats, including hedgerows and other woody plantings, may decrease the detrimental effects of warmer temperatures on pollinators.…”

“…Nectar and pollen of early-flowering woody species may become contaminated by systemic action of neonicotinoids or through non-target drift of treated seed-coating dust during crop planting [144]. Pesticide droplets, particles, or pesticides adhering to dust can also accumulate in the foliage or at the base of agroforestry practices [145], which pollinators may ingest or carry back to the nest [146]. This evidence suggests that if an agroforestry practice is to function as a buffer from pesticides with long residual activity, it will be important to choose plants that are not attractive to pollinators.…”