Dr. Dirk Steinke’s research explores the multifaceted world of farmland biodiversity and specific ecosystem functions. His project has introduced new pest management strategies to help address food security and promote sustainability in agriculture.
Expanding Our Understanding of Pest Harm
One of the key findings of his project is the ability to predict the potential harm caused by various insect species. By leveraging data collected from the research, Steinke’s team expanded the list of harmful pests. This information is crucial for farmers and policymakers in devising effective pest management strategies.
Clear Definitions in Dedicated Databases
The research has combined existing information on harmful pests with DNA barcoding data and meticulously cataloged in dedicated databases that can be easily accessed. These databases will serve as valuable resources for farmers, scientists, and policymakers, ensuring a unified understanding of pest species.
Encouraging Crop Rotations
An upcoming study revealed that pests show a preference for soybeans and alfalfa. This insight suggests encouraging crop rotations could create a less favourable environment for pests.
Influence on Government Policies
The research has the potential to influence government policies related to agriculture. Steinke proposes expanding the Canadian lists of registered harmful pest species and is exploring avenues to collaborate with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to implement these changes.
Global Food Security Impact
This research has implications globally, with 20-40% of global crop production being lost to pests annually (USDA), any improvement in pest management will save crops outputs. Steinke’s research improves our understanding of how to manage agricultural pests which enhance our ability to address this challenge. Steinke’s work also highlights specific pest issues in southern Ontario and offers quicker ways to address them. He aims to share the methodology with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
Economic Benefits and Technology Integration
The research underlines the economic benefits of early pest detection systems and emphasizes the need for faster, more specific pest identification. Steinke’s team utilizes technology developed at the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics and seeks industry partners to take on this vital role. Additionally, the research highlights the potential for environmental impact assessments, benefiting farm consultants and crop advisors.
Accessible Databases
Efforts are underway to make the new data accessible to the academic community, offering reference databases curated by experts. Policymakers will also have access to dashboards, enhancing decision-making in agriculture.
