Wheat is one crop being modified for herbicide-tolerance.
Genetically modified crops may lead to a decline in bird populations in some areas, warns a new UK study. The study from researchers at the University of East Anglia and published in today's issue of Science modelled the impact of herbicide-tolerant crops. The study links the decline in weed numbers to bird numbers, predicting that a decline in seed abundance should seriously reduce the numbers of skylarks using these fields. Using the model, the team investigated the consequences of the changed herbicide use likely to be associated with herbicide-tolerant crops. The researchers emphasise that bird populations are only likely to be reduced on those smaller number farms where a lot of seed grow, and overall, the consequences should depend upon which farmers adopt the new crop types.