Are single species toxicity tests alone adequate for estimating environmental hazard

摘要: Most biologists agree that at each succeeding level of biological organization new properties appear would not have been evident even by the most intense and careful examination lower levels organization. These might be crudely characterized as subcellular, cellular, organ, organism, population, multispecies, community, ecosystem. The field ecology developed because meticulous study single species could accurately predict how several such interact competitively or in predator-prey interactions like. Moreover, biotic abiotic materials called ecosystem are so complex they predicted from a detailed isolated component parts. This preamble may seem platitudinous to who heard this many times before. makes it all more remarkable toxicity testing an assumption is made responses above can reliably with tests. Unfortunately, rarely explicitly stated and, therefore, often passes unchallenged. When challenged, response tests used for years no adverse multispecies effects were noted. overly protective when coupled enormous application factor simply detected there systematic, scientifically sound studies carried out detect them. Probably both these possibilities occur. However, important justifiable evidence exists indicate degree reliability which one use higher One speculate absence information due paucity reliable situation certainly but does explain lack pressure develop pressing need further perfection tests, rather development parallel inordinately expensive, time consuming, require any skilled professionals than Higher merely different type background. Theoretical ecologists notoriously reluctant contribute effort, consequence, must associations professional other organizations similar interests.