Moxidectin dewormer destabilizes pasture ecosystems, revealing systemic reliance on chemical parasite control
Original framing: “Deworming products for grazing animals may disrupt food chains” — Phys.org
The Kiel‑Trier study employed network ecology methods, quantifying changes in plant‑insect interaction webs after moxidectin exposure, and demonstrated statistically significant reductions in keystone pollinator abundance. Complementary toxicological data confirm that sub‑lethal concentrations persist in dung, affecting non‑target organisms. The scientific consensus now points to ecosystem‑wide ramifications that exceed the drug's intended parasitic target.
The destabilisation of pasture ecosystems by moxidectin is not merely a toxicological incident but a symptom of an intensification paradigm that privileges short‑term animal productivity over long‑term ecological resilience.
Historical shifts toward high‑density grazing, reinforced by subsidy structures and market demands, have eclipsed Indigenous stewardship practices that naturally regulate parasite loads. By integrating Indigenous mobility wisdom, IPM, policy reforms, and community co‑design, we can re‑balance the parasite‑grazing‑biodiversity triad, safeguarding both livestock health and the broader food web. Future modelling underscores that without such systemic change, pollinator collapse will reverberate across agricultural sectors, threatening food security globally.