Threatened southern African soils: A need for appropriate ecotoxicological risk assessment

摘要: Abstract In southern Africa arable soils are limited due to low rainfall and threatened by anthropogenic activities like agriculture mining making it susceptible degradation. The aim of this study is review the existing information available with regards soil contamination its possible threats towards biodiversity quality African soils. Some issues being addressed in paper include focus areas ecotoxicological research countries, levels contaminants soils, impacts climate on animals representativity standardised test species. order address this, we report a literature search, which was done determine main research, highlighting strengths needs comparison approaches elsewhere world. Further, if risk assessment Europe USA valid for environmental conditions; light differences temperature, fauna. It concluded that procedures were based non-southern conditions necessary rethink studies; although limited, Africa. We recommend future has be undertaken these issues. This should investigating species sensitivities responses including insects likes ants termites ecological studies.