Correlation between infant mortality rate and bat population loss found

In 2006, a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome began decimating bat populations across New England. Over the next decade, the loss of these bats, which are essential for controlling insect populations, led to significant consequences for agriculture and human health, a new study found. With fewer bats to eat insects, farmers turned to increased use of insecticides, resulting in a 31 percent increase in pesticide use, the report found. The increase has been linked to an 8 percent increase in infant mortality in affected areas.

Impact on agriculture and human health

Bats play a crucial role in natural pest control, with some species consuming about 40 percent of their body weight in insects each night. Researchers led by University of Chicago economist Eyal Frank noted in his study published in the journal Science that when bat populations plummeted, farmers responded by using more insecticides to compensate for the loss. The additional use of insecticides grew by about 2 kilograms per square kilometer in five years. Meanwhile, the use of fungicides and herbicides remained unchanged.

Child mortality is increasing

The study found a disturbing link between the rise in insecticide use and an increase in infant mortality, particularly in deaths related to disease or birth defects. However, other factors such as accidents and homicides did not show a similar increase. Winifred Frick, chief scientist at Bat Conservation International, expressed shock at the findings and called it a significant revelation.

Tracey Woodruff, an environmental scientist at the University of California, San Francisco, noted that the link between pesticides and health risks to babies is plausible. According to Science.org, similar findings have been found in previous studies of air pollution. report.

Challenges and future prospects

While bat populations are slowly recovering, it can take decades for them to reach their previous levels. Conservation efforts are underway to aid their recovery, including attracting insects to hibernation sites and improving roosting conditions.