Chemical Warfare in Nature Pesticides and other industrial chemicals are at the root of many pollution problems‎.‎ In view of the toxic effects of industrial chemicals found in the water‎,‎ soil‎,‎ and air‎,‎ Ecotoxicology‎:‎ Effects of Pollutants on the Natural Environment considers the impact of chemicals on the environment from a wider perspective‎:‎ the evolution of plant toxins‎-and defense mechanisms against them in animals as a consequence of plant‎-animal warfare‎.‎ Comparisons are made between this and the development of resistance by insects towards man‎-made insecticides‎.‎ Pesticides and Drugs The text focuses particularly on problems posed by pesticides and‎,‎ to a lesser extent‎,‎ by drugs‎.‎ This material specifically addresses the problems that pesticides pose and explores the development of resistance to them‎.‎ It focuses on the history of pesticides‎,‎ pesticide selectivity between target species and beneficial organisms‎,‎ and types of pesticides‎.‎ It discusses mandatory ecotoxicity testing as part of the process of risk assessment of environmental chemicals‎.‎ The text considers the effects of pollutants at the population level‎,‎ with respect to changes in numbers and genetic composition‎.‎It factors in the sublethal effects of pollutants on population levels‎,‎ and cites an increase in the concentration of persistent pollutants in natural food chains as a cause of the decline of certain vertebrate predators‎.‎ Overall the text‎:‎ * Considers plant toxins as models for pesticides * Emphasizes principles illustrated with practical examples * Includes a glossary of terms Divided into three sections‎,‎ this text uses a variety of examples and case studies to examine the effects of pollutants‎-including naturally occurring ones‎-on natural processes‎.‎ It guides the reader through the basic issues and principles‎;‎ outlines the science of ecotoxicology‎,‎ which is the study of the effects of chemicals upon ecosystems‎;‎ and introduces various strategies for pollution control‎.‎

• Author‎:‎ Colin Walker
• Publisher‎:‎ CRC Press
• ISBN‎:‎ 9781466591790