Wildlife Ecotoxicology: Forensic Approaches

✍ Scribed by John E. Elliott, Christine A. Bishop, Christy A. Morrissey (auth.), John E. Elliott, Christine A. Bishop, Christy A. Morrissey (eds.)

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag New York
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 487
• Series: Emerging Topics in Ecotoxicology 3
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Many books have now been published in the broad field of environmental toxicology. However, to date, none of have presented the often fascinating stories of the wildlife science, and the steps along the way from discovery of problems caused by environmental pollutants to the regulatory and nonregulatory efforts to address the issues. This book provides case by case examinations of how toxic chemical effects on wildlife have brought about policy and regulatory decisions, and positive changes in environmental conditions. Wild animal stories, whether they are about the disappearance of charismatic top predators, or of grossly deformed embryos or frogs, provide powerful symbols that can and have captured the public's imagination and have resulted in increased awareness by decision makers. It is the intent of this book to present factual and balanced overviews and summaries of the science and the subsequent regulatory processes that followed to effect change (or not). A variety of chemicals and topics are covered, from the impact of legacy pollutants such as dioxins and PCBs in birds to controversial issues of herbicides and amphbians, and the recent case of the veterinarian pharmaceutical that has brought three species of Asian vultures to the brink of extinction. Researchers, regulators, educators, NGOs and the general public will find valuable insights into the processes and mechanisms involved both in environmental scientific investigation and in efforts to effect positive change.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter....Pages i-xix
Wildlife Ecotoxicology: Forensic Approaches....Pages 1-9
Dioxins, Wildlife, and the Forest Industry in British Columbia, Canada....Pages 11-43
Swallows as a Sentinel Species for Contaminant Exposure and Effect Studies....Pages 45-91
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal: From Environmental Catastrophe to Urban Wildlife Refuge....Pages 93-151
Abnormal Alligators and Organochlorine Pesticides in Lake Apopka, Florida....Pages 153-187
Restoration of Lake Apopka’s North Shore Marsh: High Hopes, Tough Times, and Persistent Progress....Pages 189-211
Controlling Wireworms Without Killing Wildlife in the Fraser River Delta....Pages 213-237
Toxic Trees: Arsenic Pesticides, Woodpeckers, and the Mountain Pine Beetle....Pages 239-265
Amphibians Are Not Ready for Roundup ® ....Pages 267-300
Atrazine Has Been Used Safely for 50 Years?....Pages 301-324
Selenium, Salty Water, and Deformed Birds....Pages 325-357
Eliminating Lead from Recreational Shooting and Angling: Relating Wildlife Science to Environmental Policy and Regulation in North America....Pages 359-382
Feminized Fish, Environmental Estrogens, and Wastewater Effluents in English Rivers....Pages 383-412
South Asian Vultures in Crisis: Environmental Contamination with a Pharmaceutical....Pages 413-441
Where Science Stops, and Action Starts....Pages 443-453
Back Matter....Pages 455-466

✦ Subjects

Ecotoxicology; Environmental Law/Policy/Ecojustice; Animal Ecology; Environmental Management