Vital soil organisms being harmed by pesticides, study shows

The tiny creatures are the unsung heroes' that keep soils healthy and underpin all life on land

Pesticides are causing widespread damage to the tiny creatures that keep soils healthy and underpin all life on land, according to the first comprehensive review of the issue.

The researchers found the measured impacts of farm chemicals on earthworms, beetles, springtails and other organisms were overwhelmingly negative. Other scientists said the findings were alarming, given the importance of these unsung heroes".