title: Integrating ecosystem services into risk management decisions: case study with Spanish citrus and the insecticide chlorpyrifos.
abstract: The European regulatory system for the approval of pesticides includes a thorough evaluation of risks to the environment and is designed to be protective of ecosystems. However, a decision to ban an agrochemical could also potentially have a negative impact on the value of ecosystem services, if resulting changes in crop management are damaging to ecosystems or result in negative socio-economic impacts. To support regulatory decision-making, consideration of ecosystem services to identify best environmental management options could be a way forward. There is generally a growing trend for the consideration of ecosystem services in decision making. Ecosystems provide the conditions for growing food, regulate water and provide wildlife habitats; these, amongst others, are known as ecosystem services. The objectives of this case study were to bring a holistic approach to decision making by valuing the environmental, social and economic benefits derived from the use of chlorpyrifos in Valencian citrus production. Spanish growers harvest between 5 and 6 milliont of citrus annually, worth an estimated €5 to 7 billion in food markets throughout Europe. The approach highlighted the potential for unintended negative consequences of regulatory decisions if the full context is not considered. In this study, rather than a regulatory restriction, the best option was the continued use of chlorpyrifos together with vegetated conservation patches as refuges for non-target insects. The conservation patches offset potential insecticidal impacts to insects whilst maintaining citrus production, farm income and the amenity value of the citrus landscape of Valencia. This was an initial proof-of-concept study and illustrates the importance of a wider perspective; other cases may have different outcomes depending on policies, the pesticide, crop scenarios, farm economics and the region.
authors.affiliation: ENVIRON, Box House, Box, Wiltshire SN13 8AA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: sdeacon@environcorp.com.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deacon
authors.affiliation: RidgewayEco, Innovation Centre, Abingdon OX14 4RY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.affiliation: ENVIRON, 1600 Parkwood Circle, Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30339, United States.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nicolette
authors.affiliation: ENVIRON, 525 Columbia Street NW, Suite 204, Olympia, WA 98501, United States.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reub
authors.affiliation: ENVIRON, 525 Columbia Street NW, Suite 204, Olympia, WA 98501, United States.
authors.forename: Gretchen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.affiliation: ENVIRON, 525 Columbia Street NW, Suite 204, Olympia, WA 98501, United States.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Osborn
authors.affiliation: ENVIRON, 1 Broad Gate, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8EQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D004390:Chlorpyrifos; D002957:Citrus / Q000254:growth & development*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D007306:Insecticides; D012308:Risk Management
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D004390:Chlorpyrifos
keywords: Agriculture; Chlorpyrifos; Citrus; Ecosystem services; Net ecosystem service analysis; Risk management