Andy, Thanks for sharing this resource. I think it is obvious that in many instances production agriculture has ignored the rules of nature, but for those actually doing the farming, often times it comes down to economics. Unfortunately, if the method is simple and can save time and money, then that usually wins out over the less quantifiable areas associated with resistance, run-off, drift, contamination, residues, and the long-term health of the environment.
IPM or integrated pest management is an approach that requires an understanding of the system and the incorporation of a variety of different methods for addressing the challenges of weeds, insects, pathogens, diseases, and other pests. It works in any agricultural system, whether organic, conventional, low-input, or even biodynamic, because the methods do not define IPM, but instead the integration of the methods is the focus. One of the strengths of IPM is that the selection pressure that is common with a one-method system (e.g., even continuous mowing can select for short-statured weeds) is reduced substantially as different cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical practices are integrated together. Similar to diversifying a farming operation to make it more sustainable, so, too must the management of pests be diversified. Actually, it is pretty simple. Listen to this farmer talk about IPM in a 15 minute interview with a reporter from the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-live-live/liveblog/washington-pos t-live-feeding-the-future/). With advances in technology, there is now an opportunity to identify the pest and properly assess the most effective tool for a targeted, micro-application in real-time. There are many engineers in the field of robotics and computer science who are working with biologists to develop platforms that can support true IPM. Much of what is driving these efforts are due to the need to better protect ecosystems and make up for the dwindling labor force, while feeding a growing population. I and 13 other authors produced a book on this topic earlier this spring (http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-94-007-7512-1). There will also be a session on precision IPM at the International IPM Symposium in Utah this coming March (http://ipmcenters.org/ipmsymposium15/Documents/concurrent%20session%20list %2011-19-14.pdf). Thanks again for sharing this. Steve On 12/29/14, 11:55 AM, "Andy Dyer" <[email protected]> wrote: >Dear Colleagues, >I apologize for the self-promotion, but because I published with Island >Press, an excellent but non-profit press, I¹m responsible for some of the >promotion within my field. > >I¹ve written a book about the evolutionary race between pests and >chemical pesticides within our agricultural system. It¹s intended for the >introductory ecology level and/or for the non-science reader and I¹ve >included a large number of inset boxes explaining ecological and >evolutionary biology concepts. My hope is that it will be a useful >companion resource/primer for ecology, evolution, and environmental >science classes. > >It¹s entitled Chasing the Red >Queen<http://islandpress.org/chasing-red-queen> (9781610915199/$30.00) is >now available. In it, I make the case that the problem with pesticide >resistance is a problem of ignoring the rules of evolutionary biology. I >contend that we can¹t beat agricultural pests by attempting to win in the >evolutionary race‹but if we acknowledge it, we can develop agricultural >methods that stop the vicious cycle. The book has already received a >nice early review from Booklist, which called it ³insightful² and >³well-written and timely.² > >If you¹d like to purchase a copy from Island >Press<http://islandpress.org/chasing-red-queen>, use the code REDQUEEN, >which is good for a 20% discount. You can also order it from a number of >online book sources. > >I hope you¹ll consider reading and using the book. > > * If you¹d like to review it for a publication or website, you can >request a review copy from >[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. > * If you¹d like to use it in a class, you can request an exam copy >here<http://www.islandpress.org/educators>. > * Your institution can ask >[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> for details about a >discounted bulk purchase. > * Review the book on Amazon, Goodreads, or another review site. > >All the best, >Andy Dyer >Dept. of Biology & Geology >USC Aiken
