Rodenticide Ecotoxicology: Assessing Non-Target Population Effects

Environmental hazards presented by pesticides and other toxicants are determined by exposure as well as toxicity. Predicting and estimating exposure is much more difficult than measuring toxicity since exposure depends on toxicant distribution, individual behaviour and population dynamics. We present a generalized compartment model for ecotoxicology and illustrate its use in relation to rodenticide hazard evaluation. The model highlights the need for particular sorts of field experiment. We present the results of a series of field experiments designed to assess potential effects of rodenticide use on some non-target animal populations. Key-words: Bromadiolone, compartment model, ecotoxicology, exposure, hazard, non-target populations, Rattus norvegicus, rodenticide, toxicity