A Synopsis of the Pesticide Problem
N . W . M O O R E
Monks Wood Experimental Station. Abbots Ripton. Huntiqdon. England
I . Introduction ........................................................
75
A . Definitions ...................................................... 75
B . The Study of Pesticides as an Ecological Problem ....................
76
I1 . The Nature of the Pesticide Problem and the Types of Research Necessary
for Studying It ....................................................
80
1 1 1 . Pesticides as an Ecological Factor: Its Development and Present Magnitude 85
IV . The Main Characteristics of Pesticides as an Ecological Factor ............ 88
A . Common Characteristics ...........................................
88
B . Toxicity ......................................................... 91
C . Persistence and Solubility .........................................
97
D . Interaction of Pesticides ........................................... 104
V . Ecological Effects on Single Species .................................... 104
A . Introduction ..................................................... 104
B . Toxic Effect on a Species - Direct Effects ...........................
105
C . Toxic Effect on a Species-Delayed Effects ......................... 106
D . Reduction of Food Species ......................................... 107
E . Reduction of Habitat .............................................
108
F . Removal of a Competitor .........................................
108
G . Removalofa Predator ............................................ 110
VI . Effects on Ecosyste ms ...............................................
110
A . Introduction .....................................................
110
B . Effects onDiversity .............................................. 111
C . Effects on Production ............................................ 114
D . Effects on Succession ............................................. 116
VII . Pesticides and Evolution ............................................. 116
VIII . Application of an Ecological Approach to Pesticides ..................... 117
A . Control of Pests and Pesticides ..................................... 117
B . Pesticides as Tools for Ecological Research .......................... 121
IX . Conclusions on Pesticide Effects ....................................... 121
A . Comparisons With Other Factors ................................... 121
B . Pesticides as Part of a Developing System ........................... 122
X . Summary ........................................................... 125
Acknowledgments ......................................................... 125
References ............................................................... 126
I . INTRODUCTION
A . DEFINITIONS
This review is about pesticides and ecology . Both terms need defining .
The term pesticide. as employed here. means any chemical agent used
76