pests – envirobites

Environmental Science Human Exposure and Public Health

Disease Vectors and Pests: How Genetically Modified Insects Could Affect the World

May 1, 2022February 5, 2023 Andrea Valcarcel 0 Comments disease ecology, gene drive, Gene editing, genetics, infectious diseases, pests, vectors

Genetic modification is a reality, now more than ever. Yearly, there are more than 2.8 million deaths due to diseases spread by insects. So, what if we genetically modified insects so they don’t pose such a big threat towards human and agricultural health? And what would the long-term outcome be of such modifications? Will the mutations spread uncontrollably through wild populations? Well, that is for us to see and scientists to consider.

Ecosystems Environmental Science

The value of a species: the whooping crane conservation paradox

April 29, 2019September 16, 2022 Laura Schifman 0 Comments BSC4052, Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, pests, whooping cranes

The endangered whooping crane is one of the world’s rarest species, with only around 600 individuals, including one wild self-sustaining population (French et al., 2018). Reintroduced populations have had limited success, largely due to low hatching success. One multi-year study demonstrates the role that some endemic species of black flies play in Whooping crane nest desertion. This work also illustrates how conservation approaches should evaluate trade-offs and utilize a decision-analysis framework to construct management strategies that incorporate the needs of all endemic species, rather than pining the value of one species above the other.