Final answer:
Pesticides become necessary in monocultures because they help control crop pests and protect the plants from damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
In monocultures, where the same crop is grown repeatedly, soil nutrients become depleted and pests are attracted to the plants. This is why pesticides become necessary in monocultures, as they help control the crop pests and protect the plants from being damaged. However, pesticides have drawbacks, such as high costs, loss of effectiveness over time due to pest adaptation, and collateral damage to non-pest species and human health.
Ecologists believe that predators and parasites of pests play a significant role in suppressing pest populations, but this impact has not been well studied. Studies have shown that landscape complexity and diversity of pests can influence pest control. Loss of diversity in pest enemies makes it more challenging and expensive to grow food.
However, they have drawbacks, such as high costs, loss of effectiveness over time, and collateral damage. Predators and parasites of pests also play a role in suppressing pest populations, and landscape complexity and diversity can influence pest control.