A new groundbreaking study led by Chinese researchers has uncovered the staggering impact of global pesticide use on non-target species, underscoring significant ecological risks.

With a database spanning over 880,000 pesticide use cases, the research uncovers alarming effects on plants, animals, and microorganisms, urging urgent policy action for greener pest control solutions.

According to a report by Shanghai-based news outlet The Paper, Professor Wan Nianfeng from the School of Pharmacy at East China University of Science and Technology, along with researchers from China, Italy, Denmark, the U.K., France, and Germany, published their findings in the prestigious journal Nature Communications on Feb. 13.

“Our research has created the largest and most comprehensive database on the global impact of pesticides on non-target organisms, with nearly 500,000 words of supplementary material,” Wan said. “These findings provide a solid scientific foundation for biodiversity-based pest control efforts worldwide.”

The study found that insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides severely disrupt the growth, reproduction, and behavior of non-target animals, affecting their neurophysiology, cellular metabolism, and biochemical functions. They also hinder plant photosynthesis and alter microbial cell membrane permeability, among other critical processes.

It also explored how pesticide impacts vary across different environments. While field trials, which had smaller sample sizes than laboratory tests, showed a similar trend of harmful effects, researchers found that pesticide damage was more pronounced in temperate regions compared to tropical zones. This difference could be due to faster pesticide degradation in warmer climates.

Negative effects on non-target organisms persisted when exposed to both terrestrial and aquatic environments, underscoring the widespread ecological risks.

To avoid overestimating the impact of pesticide dosages on non-target organisms, the researchers compiled data on the effects of recommended field and aquatic application rates. Their findings confirmed that higher pesticide doses exacerbate the negative effects on animals, plants, and microorganisms.

Based on these results, the team calls for urgent policy shifts. They recommend accelerating the development of green pesticides — effective, low-toxicity, and low-residue alternatives — and implementing biodiversity-based pest control strategies to protect ecosystems.

The study underscored that such measures would not only help mitigate pesticide-related risks but also preserve global biodiversity and reduce ecological harm.

(Header image: A villager sprays pesticides in Dacang Town, Yunnan province, 2024. Zhang Shulu/VCG)