Ecotoxicological suitability of floodplain habitats in The Netherlands for the little owl (Athene noctua vidalli).
This study describes the actual risks of exposure to contaminants, which little owls (Athene noctua vidalli) face in Dutch river floodplains. The results indicate that PCBs pose a risk: not only are levels in little owls from floodplains higher than levels found in little owls from a reference site but the PCB patterns in owls from the floodplains also indicate induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes by dioxin like compounds, possibly PCBs. Of the heavy metals, only cadmium is thought to pose a risk in certain conditions, for example, when little owls are feeding only on earthworms over a prolonged period of time. The results do not indicate any effects on the occurrence of prey items of the little owl like for instance earthworm, beetles and shrews. Hence, it is not expected that little owls will be affected by diminishing prey availability due to contamination.
Van den Brink
N W
NW
Department of Ecology and Environment, Alterra, Box 47 NL6700-AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands. n.w.vandenbrink@alterra.wag-ur.nl
Groen
N M
NM
De Jonge
J
J
Bosveld
A T C
AT
D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000737:chemistry; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009426:Netherlands; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000737:chemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020305:Strigiformes
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls