Spatially explicit method for ecotoxicological risk assessment of pesticides for birds.

Current methods for ecotoxicological risk assessment of pesticides on birds take into account pesticide properties and the bio-ecological characteristics of birds. However, there is a need to develop a spatially explicit method to refine the RA at different scales. A spatially explicit procedure has been developed to be applied at both field and sub-regional scales. An example of application on a pilot area characterised by intensive agriculture is provided. Focal species were selected as indicators of the different feeding habits and ecological role, considering the real presence in the area. Risk assessment and mapping were performed by integrating the existing toxicological data on birds from the literature with site-specific information providing maps for all pesticides used in the area. A software package was developed to automate the exposure assessment of pesticides on birds. A discussion on main critical issues related to actual risk assessment procedure is presented.