Glossary
Bioaccumulation
The gradual buildup or increase in concentration of a substance, such as a pesticide, in an organism's tissues over time.
Example:
A fish living in water contaminated with DDT might experience bioaccumulation as the pesticide builds up in its fatty tissues throughout its life.
Biomagnification
The increasing concentration of a substance, such as a pesticide, in the tissues of organisms at successively higher trophic levels in a food chain.
Example:
When a hawk eats many small birds that have consumed insects contaminated with a persistent pesticide, the pesticide's concentration will undergo biomagnification in the hawk, reaching much higher levels.
Fungicides
Pesticides used to control fungal infections in plants, seeds, or soil by disrupting fungal growth and reproduction.
Example:
To prevent powdery mildew from destroying their grape vines, a vineyard manager might regularly apply a fungicide.
Glyphosate
A widely used non-selective herbicide, commonly found in products like Roundup, that has been linked to environmental and health concerns.
Example:
Concerns about human health and environmental impacts have led to debates over the continued widespread use of glyphosate in agriculture.
Herbicides
A type of pesticide specifically designed to kill or inhibit the growth of unwanted plants, commonly known as weeds.
Example:
To clear a field for planting, a farmer might apply a herbicide to eliminate existing weeds that would compete with the new crops.
Insecticides
Pesticides used to kill insects, which can sometimes be indiscriminate and harm beneficial insect species.
Example:
To protect their apple orchard from codling moths, a fruit grower might spray an insecticide during critical periods of pest activity.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
A sustainable approach to pest control that combines various methods, including biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools, to minimize pesticide use and environmental harm.
Example:
Instead of relying solely on pesticides, a farm implementing Integrated Pest Management might introduce natural predators, rotate crops, and use pest-resistant varieties.
Non-selective Herbicides
Herbicides that kill all plants they come into contact with, regardless of species.
Example:
Before paving a new driveway, a construction crew might spray a non-selective herbicide to ensure no vegetation grows through the cracks later.
Non-target Species
Organisms that are not the intended target of a pesticide application but are harmed by its use.
Example:
When an insecticide is sprayed to kill crop pests, beneficial insects like ladybugs and crucial non-target species like bees can also be inadvertently killed.
Pesticides
Substances used to control pests, which can include unwanted plants, animals, or fungi. They are broad-category chemicals designed to manage organisms that interfere with human activities, especially agriculture.
Example:
Farmers might use pesticides to protect their corn crops from insect infestations and weed overgrowth, ensuring a higher yield.
Pollinators
Animals, often insects like bees, that transfer pollen from one flower to another, enabling plant reproduction and fruit production.
Example:
The decline of bee populations is a major concern because these crucial pollinators are essential for the reproduction of many food crops.
Resistance
The ability of pests to develop tolerances to pesticides over time, requiring increased usage or different chemicals to achieve control.
Example:
After years of using the same insecticide, a population of agricultural pests might develop resistance, making the chemical less effective.
Rodenticides
Pesticides specifically designed to kill rodents such as mice and rats, often used in agricultural and urban settings.
Example:
When a barn is overrun with rats, a farmer might deploy rodenticides in bait stations to control the population.
Selective Herbicides
Herbicides that are formulated to kill only specific types of plants, leaving other desired plants unharmed.
Example:
A homeowner might use a selective herbicide on their lawn to kill broadleaf weeds like dandelions without harming the grass.