HomeSearch:
New Additions Funding Opportunities Projects Affiliated Centers Integrated Pest Management Research Publications

Description of Measurement

The Process of Measurement :

Environmental indicator models measure the environmental risk of pesticide applications. Using environmental indicator models to measure the environmental impact of pesticide applications involves extensive data management. Each indicator requires pesticide application rates, the date of the pesticide application, toxicology information (such as LC50 and NOEC values) on the pesticide's active ingredient, chemical parameter information (such as half-life and Kow values) on the pesticide's active ingredient, and health information (such as oncogenic effects) on the pesticide's active ingredient. In addition, some indicator models require site-specific weather data and soil data in order to calculate potential leaching to the groundwater.

An example of data inputs for various environmental indicator models is provided in Table 1 below. These models are explained in greater detail in the Pesticide Risk Indicators section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 1: Required Data Inputs for Each Indicator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPRIP

EYP

PERI

SYNOPS_2

SyPEP

EIQ

CHEMS I

MATF

Pesticide Application Rate

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Pesticide Toxicity Values

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Pesticide Chemical Properties

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Health Impacts of Pesticide

 

 

 

 

 

X

X

X

Soil Data

X

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

Weather Data

X

X

 

X

X

 

 

 

Bodies of Water

X

 

 

X

X

 

 

 

Field Size (implied in all
indicators)

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

  X

Application Impact on Insect Resistance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Amount of Active Ingredient Pre-existing in Environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Researchers often experience difficulty when trying to find accurate data inputs such as toxicology data and chemical parameter data. As a result, researchers often have to use a variety of references to ensure accuracy and completeness. Some of the references used for data collection can include:

While this is not an extensive list of references, it should provide researchers wishing to use these models with a starting point to begin to collect data..

Importance of Measurement :

Environmental indicator models measure the environmental impact of pesticide applications. Measuring these types of impacts is important for a variety of reasons :

  • Identifying new application strategies :
    These models can help farmers identify application patterns that are potentially dangerous to the environment. By examining past application schemes or by inputting what they expect to put on the field during a future growing season, farmers can identify potential environmental risks and adjust their application scheme to reduce harm to the environment.
  • Labeling Tool :
    Since these models show if a crop was grown with minimal environmental risk, they can also be used as validation tools for "green label" or "eco-label" certification. These labels identify crops/food products that are grown in environmentally safe ways. Since concern over food product safety is rising, eco-labels may help farmers reap greater profits from growing crops in an environmental conscious fashion.
  • IPM Program Evaluation Tool :
    These models can also be used as a program evaluation tool for IPM programs to show differences in environmental risk between IPM and more conventional pesticide use.

Back

American Farmland Trust