With the rapid growth of awareness and concern regarding adverse effects of pest management activities on the environment and human health, researchers, and to a lesser extent policymakers, have recently begun to appreciate the impact of environmental factors on our ability to manage pest populations. In light of this, the authors were surprised to find that no single volume has yet been devoted to these complex interactions. In addition, economic and societal considerations have been largely neglected while other topics, such as pesticide toxicity, have been the focus of much attention. The proposed volume is aimed at filling these gaps by addressing these pressing issues.
The book will first address environmental concerns surrounding various pest management tactics, such as the employment of transgenic crops and biological control, as well as those related to pesticide use. The following section will include chapters on positive and negative ecosystem services provided by natural areas that may influence pest management. Next, the effect of global processes such as climate changes, biological invasions and shifts in consumer demand, on pest suppression efforts, will be analysed, followed by chapters dealing with concerns about public health, policies related to pesticide use, biodiversity, food safety, economic drivers, and public demands. The book will thus present an interdisciplinary approach to current findings and thinking on the subject.
The book will feature a total of 17 chapters, in addition to a preface and concluding remarks section, to be written by the volume editors. Thus far, 26 authors from 10 countries (Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, UK and USA) have confirmed their participation in this project.
