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Diversity
Special Issues
Ecological Effects of Agricultural Practices on Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments
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Ecological Effects of Agricultural Practices on Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2023) | Viewed by 13237

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Renato de Almeida Sarmento

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Produção Vegetal, Campus Universitário de Gurupi, Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), Gurupi-Tocantins 77402-970, Brazil
Interests: entomology; ecotoxicology and functional ecology; acarology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Vanessa Menezes Oliveira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Course Coordination On Environmental Engineering, Campus Palmas, Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), Palmas 77001-090, Brazil
Interests: ecotoxicology; environmental risk assessment; ecosystems services

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The demand for food and biofuel has been intensified by the increase in the world’s population. This has led to a significant rise in agricultural systems and the consequent changes in land use. This is not a new scenario, and according to FAO (2017), it will be necessary to increase the current food production worldwide by approximately 50% until 2050. Numerous studies have already demonstrated that changes in the natural structure of the soil and its vegetal cover will lead to several environmental problems such as soil erosion, siltation of water bodies, species invasion, and outbreaks of pests, resulting in biodiversity losses. These changes will impact both soil and aquatic systems. In addition to effects caused by physical changes in the soil structure, there is also intensive use of agricultural products such as pesticides and fertilizers (either synthetic and/or biofertilizers), which may chemically alter soil composition and contaminate both soil and freshwater. Furthermore, these issues may be even more pronounced on developing countries, where altering native forests for agricultural purposes is a common practice. To protect soil and biodiversity, there is an urgent need to comprehensively assess the influence of different practices performed in agroecosystems, such as soil deforestation, tillage, and pest control, through the application of pesticides. Considering that, this Special Issue is an exciting opportunity to publish recent breakthroughs in the ecological impacts of agricultural practices on both terrestrial and aquatic systems, including the effects of different contaminants involved in such practices, as well as the influence of biotic and abiotic factors during climate change.

Dr. Renato de Almeida Sarmento
Dr. Vanessa Menezes Oliveira
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pesticides
  • biodiversity
  • ecotoxicology
  • pest control
  • invasive pests
  • soil structure
  • land use
  • climate change

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 221 KiB  
Article
Towards Sustainable European Agriculture? Assessing the EU’s Progress in Limiting the Negative Ecological Effects of Agriculture on Aquatic Environments
by Florența-Elena Helepciuc, Arpad Todor, Constantin-Ciprian Bîrsan and Monica-Elena Mitoi
Diversity 2023, 15(4), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040509 - 02 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1288
Abstract
The degradation of terrestrial and aquatic environments has significant adverse effects on biodiversity and environmental sustainability. The ever-increasing population and constant economic growth strain various ecosystems’ resistance and resilience. An important factor that negatively influences terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is the use of [...] Read more.
The degradation of terrestrial and aquatic environments has significant adverse effects on biodiversity and environmental sustainability. The ever-increasing population and constant economic growth strain various ecosystems’ resistance and resilience. An important factor that negatively influences terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is the use of products used in crop management. In this article, we analyze the pesticide-related European Directives and the Nationals Action Plans (NAP) regarding the sustainable use of pesticides and other documents evaluating the NAPs implementation. We assess the first and second-generation NAPs of nine EU Member States (MS)’ to evaluate if we can identify a significant shift in managing the adverse effects of pesticide use on aquatic environments. Furthermore, we evaluate the degree to which these NAPs are synergic with the EU’s strategic approach to soil protection, aquatic environments, and biodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecological Effects of Agricultural Practices on Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments)
9 pages, 928 KiB  
Article
Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Dye Degradation and Photodegradation by Peracetic Acid with Sodium Carbonate
by Leydiane Barbosa Bezerra, Thayrine Dias Carlos, Aline Silvestre Pereira Dornelas, Warlyton Silva Martins, Miréia Aparecida Bezerra Pereira, Aline Karla de Souza Nolberto, Gil Rodrigues dos Santos, Ildon Rodrigues do Nascimento, Rodrigo Ribeiro Fidelis, Nelson Luis Gonçalves Dias de Souza, Douglas Henrique Pereira, Renato Almeida Sarmento and Grasiele Soares Cavallini
Diversity 2022, 14(11), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14110931 - 29 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1340
Abstract
Advanced oxidative processes (AOPs) are procedures used for the treatment of wastewater based on the generation of free radicals, such as hydroxyl (•OH) and carbonate anion (CO3•−) radicals. However, although contaminants are degraded in these processes, the by-products generated in [...] Read more.
Advanced oxidative processes (AOPs) are procedures used for the treatment of wastewater based on the generation of free radicals, such as hydroxyl (•OH) and carbonate anion (CO3•−) radicals. However, although contaminants are degraded in these processes, the by-products generated in this transformation can be a greater source of toxicity than the original compound, making ecotoxicological tests essential for monitoring the efficacy of these treatment processes. In this study, we examined the ecotoxicity of AOP by-products generated using peracetic acid (PAA) and sodium carbonate, with and without solar radiation, for the degradation of methylene blue dye, using the planarian Girardia tigrina as a test organism. Ecotoxicological tests evaluated the acute toxicity of the generated by-product in terms of lethal concentrations (LC50). Although in both assays the degradation of the dye was greater than 99%, higher toxicity was observed in the assay using PAA and carbonate in the absence of radiation. From the results obtained, we conclude that the by-product generated from the degradation of methylene blue dye by peracetic acid and sodium carbonate, with and without solar radiation, can pose risks to aquatic ecosystems if released directly into water bodies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecological Effects of Agricultural Practices on Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments)
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10 pages, 1261 KiB  
Article
Responses of Freshwater Planarian Girardia tigrina to Fipronil-Based Insecticide: Survival, Behavioral and Physiological Endpoints
by Eloisa Borges dos Reis, Fernanda S. Farnese, Marilene S. Oliveira, Andreia C. M. Rodrigues, Aline S. P. Dornelas, Renato A. Sarmento, João C. P. de Souza, Erika C. Resende and Althiéris S. Saraiva
Diversity 2022, 14(9), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14090698 - 23 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1699
Abstract
Fipronil is a pyrazole insecticide used to control undesirable insect populations. Due to its large-scale application, there is the potential for surface waters’ contamination, with toxic action for non-target organisms, and consequent impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Planarians are potential non-target aquatic invertebrates to [...] Read more.
Fipronil is a pyrazole insecticide used to control undesirable insect populations. Due to its large-scale application, there is the potential for surface waters’ contamination, with toxic action for non-target organisms, and consequent impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Planarians are potential non-target aquatic invertebrates to these insecticides. They are widespread in tropical freshwaters and have been proposed as good candidates to assess the toxic effects of freshwater systems contaminated by insecticides. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the sublethal concentrations of a fipronil-based insecticide that may affect the planarian physiology. After chronic exposure to Regent 800 WG®, a significant decrease in locomotor velocity (LOEC—6.25 mg·L−1), regeneration of the auricles and photoreceptors (LOEC—3.13 mg·L−1), and reproduction (fecundity—LOEC 12.5 mg·L−1) were observed. The results of our study demonstrate that long-term exposure to a pyrazole insecticide can compromise non-target aquatic invertebrates while reinforcing the need for a better investigation of complementary parameters (such as behavior, regeneration, and reproduction) for a more accurate risk assessment of commercial pesticide toxicity in freshwater systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecological Effects of Agricultural Practices on Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments)
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Review

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29 pages, 884 KiB  
Review
Microbial Biopesticides: Diversity, Scope, and Mechanisms Involved in Plant Disease Control
by Silvana Vero, Gabriela Garmendia, Enzo Allori, José María Sanz, Mariana Gonda, Teresa Alconada, Ivana Cavello, Julián Rafael Dib, Mariana Andrea Diaz, Cristina Nally, Raphael Sanzio Pimenta, Juliana Fonseca Moreira da Silva, Marisol Vargas, Fernanda Zaccari and Michael Wisniewski
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030457 - 19 Mar 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6481
Abstract
Food losses, defined as a reduction in the quantity and quality of food during production and storage, impact food safety and security. Losses caused by plant pathogens are among the most significant. Chemical pesticides have been extensively used to prevent microbial diseases. Their [...] Read more.
Food losses, defined as a reduction in the quantity and quality of food during production and storage, impact food safety and security. Losses caused by plant pathogens are among the most significant. Chemical pesticides have been extensively used to prevent microbial diseases. Their toxicity and reduced efficacy, however, have encouraged investigators to develop alternatives. Alternatives based on microbial biopesticides tend to be safer and more environmentally benign than conventional pesticides. In recent years, formulations based on biopesticides have progressively increased in number and diversity and have attracted commercial interest. Understanding the mechanisms by which biopesticides control the disease is fundamental to achieving optimal disease control. Biocontrol mechanisms can be divided into two main categories: those related to the ability to inhibit pathogens or their virulence factors, and those that enhance host plant fitness and induce disease resistance. Here, the first type of strategy is reviewed, which is directly mediated by physical contact between biocontrol agents and pathogens or indirectly by exposure of a pathogen to antimicrobial or microbial-inhibiting compounds produced by the microbial antagonist. Mechanisms involving physical contact include mycophagy, destruction of pathogenic bacteria by bacteriophages or predation, and disease inhibition by topical applications of specific dsRNA. Indirect mechanisms that do not involve direct contact with a pathogen include the production of antimicrobial compounds, competition, and virulence factor suppression by quorum quenching. These topics are reviewed and discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecological Effects of Agricultural Practices on Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments)
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16 pages, 4030 KiB  
Review
Streamlining Agroecological Management of Invasive Plant Species: The Case of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav
by Alexandros Tataridas, Panagiotis Kanatas and Ilias Travlos
Diversity 2022, 14(12), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14121101 - 11 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1527
Abstract
The increased demand for the adoption of sustainable practices to protect agroecosystems is challenged by the introduction and dominance of invasive plant species (IPS). The management of IPS requires a direct response from farmers and policy makers and is often associated with the [...] Read more.
The increased demand for the adoption of sustainable practices to protect agroecosystems is challenged by the introduction and dominance of invasive plant species (IPS). The management of IPS requires a direct response from farmers and policy makers and is often associated with the adoption of practices that have negative ecological impacts. Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (silverleaf nightshade) is a noxious IPS posing a serious threat to agriculture and the environment. The increased resistance to the biotic and abiotic stress factors caused by high phenotypic plasticity, dense trichomes, and spines allow the weed to adapt to many habitats, rendering several herbicides ineffective. If an early detection and eradication fails, multiple management strategies should be adopted to mitigate a further dispersal. Herbicides should be applied before or during flowering to prevent the formation of berries and the production of seeds. Precision agriculture tools, such as decision support systems, can be exploited to reduce the herbicide input. Soil tillage should be avoided to prevent clonal reproduction. Mowing is an effective tool to prevent the setting of seeds. Biological agents should be carefully released as a part of an agroecological weed management framework. Future research should focus on the development of cross-boundary protocols and actions to monitor the introduction pathways for the early detection and agroecological management of S. elaeagnifolium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecological Effects of Agricultural Practices on Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments)
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