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Genetically modified crops benefit insectivorous birds but are detrimental to others

Comparison of bird populations in areas with low and high levels of genetically modified (GM) crop adoption in the United States reveals heterogeneous effects of GM crops on different groups of birds. GM crop adoption has a slight positive effect on the abundance and diversity of insectivorous birds, probably due to a reduction in insecticide use, whereas herbivorous birds are weakly negatively affected.

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Fig. 1: Locations of bird surveys and the effect of GM crops on bird communities.

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This is a summary of: Engist, D. et al. The impact of genetically modified crops on bird diversity. Nat. Sustain. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01390-y (2024).

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Genetically modified crops benefit insectivorous birds but are detrimental to others. Nat Sustain 7, 1090–1091 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01391-x

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