Identifying a science‐based methodology for generating refined maps that identify where pesticides overlap with endangered/threatened species habitat

To manage pests, including problematic weeds, farmers rely on an integrated pest management approach that encourages the safe and effective use of pesticides. As US federal regulators place restrictions on pesticides as a means of protecting endangered and threatened (known collectively as listed) species, it is paramount these decisions are based on empirical evidence. During 2022, restrictions placed on the Enlist Duo (glyphosate + 2,4-D choline) herbicide to protect listed species lacked scientific merit. As a means of protecting the reticulated or frosted flatwoods salamander, the ability to use the herbicide was lost to many farmers across the country, including those in 11 Georgia counties. County-wide restrictions in Georgia, based on the historical presence of these salamanders, prevented its use on over 366,000 ha (904,000 acres) of corn, cotton, and soybean. Using spatial datasets to identify specific salamander habitat and where it overlapped with potential pesticide applications, results documented that less than 1% of impacted hectares should even be included in the restrictions; over 99% of the restricted farmland did not provide suitable habitat features needed for the species' survival. This research confirms the importance of utilizing a science-based mapping methodology for future pesticide restrictions being implemented to protect listed species.