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Contamination of the Upper Class: Occurrence and Effects of Chemical Pollutants in Terrestrial Top Predators

  • Land Pollution (GM Hettiarachchi, K Scheckel, and G Toor, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Knowledge of the occurrence and effects of pollutants on terrestrial top predators will serve to better understand the issue and propose measurements to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems. We reviewed literature on the occurrence and effects of pollutants on terrestrial top predators, which was particularly scarce in comparison to the literature available on aquatic top predators. We have asked the following questions: Does chemical pollution affect terrestrial top predator population? What are the mechanisms (if known) behind chemical pollution effects on top predators? What types of chemical pollution most commonly affect top predator species?

Recent Findings

Pollutants present in the terrestrial top predators are industrial derived (PCBs), pesticides (insecticides and rodenticides), and trace metals (lead and mercury). Recent investigations on the effect of second-generation rodenticides (SGRs) are an emerging topic since these are causing deleterious effects on terrestrial top predator populations. On the other hand, eggshell thinning effects due to the old and known compounds such as DDT are still being observed in avian top predators. Further, lead pollution from spent ammunition affects predators after the hunting season.

Summary

This information demonstrates that the occurrence and effects of chemical pollutants on terrestrial top predators is a relevant issue for species and ecosystem conservation. Topics such as biomagnification of pollutants, the impact of SGRs on carnivore populations, and alternatives of lead ammunition for hunting are relevant topics that warrant further research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Humedales Río Cruces (CEHUM), Universidad Austral de Chile, Independencia 641, Valdivia, Región de los Ríos, Chile

    I. A. Rodríguez-Jorquera

  2. Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    N. Vitale & L. Garner

  3. Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile

    D. J. Perez-Venegas

  4. Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile

    C. J. Galbán-Malagón

  5. Fundación MERI, Lo Beltrán, 7650720, Santiago, Chile

    C. J. Galbán-Malagón

  6. Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA, 95618, USA

    N. Duque-Wilckens

  7. Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    G. S. Toor

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  1. I. A. Rodríguez-Jorquera
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  2. N. Vitale
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Correspondence to I. A. Rodríguez-Jorquera.

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Rodríguez-Jorquera, I.A., Vitale, N., Garner, L. et al. Contamination of the Upper Class: Occurrence and Effects of Chemical Pollutants in Terrestrial Top Predators. Curr Pollution Rep 3, 206–219 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40726-017-0061-9

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