 |
|
Trace metals and PCBs in the badger in The Netherlands
Journal
The Science of The Total Environment
-
Volume 222, Issues 1-2
,
15 October 1998,
Pages 107-118
Authors
N. W. Van den Brink and W. C. Ma
Institute for Forestry and Nature Research (IBN-DLO), P.O. Box 23, NL 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
Abstract
In The Netherlands the badger is presently recovering
from earlier declines in numbers. The rate of recovery, however, varies
between regions. It is argued that the effects of traffic accidents
cannot account for the differences in recovery between regions. It is
further shown that the population recovery is relatively poor in areas
with high cadmium and zinc concentrations, such as near rivers. It is
suggested that cadmium has an adverse effect on reproduction and that
this effect is amplified by the social structure of the badger family.
While traffic has a severe impact on the total population, trace metals
may affect populations locally. Contrary to cadmium and zinc, lead and
copper concentrations are decreasing with time. PCBs are generally not
above critical levels, although there are some local exceptions, which
may be related to fluctuations in physiological condition of individual
badgers.
Keywords
European badger Meles meles; Trace metals; PCBs; Reproduction implications; Population trends.
Web site
|
|
|
