THE ISSUE
Herbicide-Resistant Crops:
Herbicide-resistant crops are modified for immunity to specific herbicides to allow for broad spectrum spraying without crop loss.
The issue:
Both herbicide and pesticide-resistant crops have an effect on local pollinator populations. There is evidence that this practice leads to no flowering weeds within and adjacent to the treated area. Oftentimes, this results in a decrease in pollinator habitat and leads to notable habitat fragmentation. With a fragmented habitat, pollinator friendly green spaces are separated by large flowerless expanses. Broad spectrum application also removes any flowering populations from row mows, barrier strips, guard/fell rows, and any adjacent natural or unmanaged areas.
Insect-Resistant crops:
Insect resistant crops such as those transformed with genes from Bacillus thurigiensis (Bt) produce their own chemical defense. Bt corns mode of action ruptures the gut lining in the target species of the corn borer and corn earworm.