Pesticide Residues Alter Taxonomic and Functional Biodiversity in Soils

Pesticide residues alter taxonomic and functional biodiversity in soils

Pesticides are widely distributed in soils1–3, yet their effects on soil biodiversity remain poorly understood4–7. Here we examined the effects of 63 pesticides on soil archaea, bacteria, fungi, protists, nematodes, arthropods and key functional gene groups across 373 sites spanning woodlands, grasslands and croplands in 26 European countries. Pesticide residues were detected in 70% of sites and emerged as the second strongest driver of soil bio…