Reminds me of the 4 pests campaign in China, 1958 [1]. "By April 1960, Chinese leaders realized that sparrows ate a large amount of insects, as well as grains.

Reminds me of the 4 pests campaign in China, 1958 [1]. "By April 1960, Chinese leaders realized that sparrows ate a large amount of insects, as well as grains. Rather than being increased, rice yields after the campaign were substantially decreased." [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pests_Campaign http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pests_Campaign Not related, a 2011 study (edit: this in fact credited in the article) found out that eradicating mosquitoes in the french Camargue led to house martins having trouble finding food and correctly feeding their offspring. [2] [2] http://www.tourduvalat.org/fr/actualites/indirect_effects_bioinsecticides_non_target_fauna_camargue_experiments_calls_future http://www.tourduvalat.org/fr/actualites/indirect_effects_bi... Original study: POULIN B., 2012. Indirect effects of bioinsecticides on the non target fauna: the Camargue experiments calls for future research. Acta Oecol 44 p28-32. Appears we're not that good at predicting outcomes in complex systems.