Effects of pesticides on the arthropod community in the agricultural areas near the Everglades National Park

Abstract

We investigated the effects of pesticides on the arthropod community in the agricultural areas near the Everglades National Park (ENP). Sampling of arthropods was done using visual observation, destructive sampling, pitfall trap and sweeping methods in two successive years, 2000 and 2001, in a field planted with native ornamental plants, which are also commercially used for landscaping. The field was divided into two areas: sprayed and non-sprayed. Overall results showed that more arthropod taxa were present in the non-sprayed area than in the sprayed area. Likewise, greater arthropod diversity was calculated in the non-sprayed area than in the sprayed area. These findings suggest that chemical application in the agricultural areas near the park should be used sparingly and wisely (if chemicals cannot be avoided) to maintain the natural balance in the arthropod community existing near the Everglades National Park.