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Science 1 September 2000:
Vol. 289. no. 5484, pp. 1554 - 1557
DOI: 10.1126/science.289.5484.1554
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Reports

Predictions of Biodiversity Response to Genetically Modified Herbicide-Tolerant Crops

A. R. Watkinson,1* R. P. Freckleton,1 † R. A. Robinson,2 W. J. Sutherland1

We simulated the effects of the introduction of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops on weed populations and the consequences for seed-eating birds. We predict that weed populations might be reduced to low levels or practically eradicated, depending on the exact form of management. Consequent effects on the local use of fields by birds might be severe, because such reductions represent a major loss of food resources. The regional impacts of GMHT crops are shown to depend on whether the adoption of GMHT crops by farmers covaries with current weed levels.

1 Schools of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
2 British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: a.watkinson{at}uea.ac.uk

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)