Pollution and wildlife health

By:

Links

Abstract

Pollution is a pervasive and growing threat to wildlife health. This chapter discusses two broad groups of pollution, those whose abatement could have immediate beneficial effects including light, air, and noise pollution, and those that will take relatively longer to address due to their environmental persistence or their continuing discharge. Whilst we are very good at detecting the presence of pollutants in tissues or the environment, making a convincing link between the presence of these compounds and mortality events in the field or population effects will remain a challenge for the foreseeable future. Creative new approaches are also being considered to mitigate the effects of pollution on wildlife and ecosystems. Depending on the source of pollution, the beneficial outcomes of mitigation measures, if properly implemented, could have immediate effects. Given the plethora of potential adverse pollution effects, frameworks to prioritize which threats are most likely to cause adverse effects and develop means to address or manage them are an imperative. In the interim, focusing on preserving existing habitats and reducing our footprint by adjusting human activities to minimize the release of pollutants into the environment will go a long way toward promoting healthy wildlife and ecosystems.

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Pollution and wildlife health
DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-90510-1_16
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) National Wildlife Health Center
Description 10
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title Wildlife population health
First page 177
Last page 186
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details