Which statement is true about how pesticides can affect wildlife?

Which statement is true about how pesticides can affect wildlife?

• A. They can be transported in runoff and contaminate water that is ingested or inhabited
• B. They can eliminate food sources
• C. They can cause immediate extinction of species
• D. They have no effect on habitat

Answer: (A)

Pesticides can move beyond where they’re applied and enter wildlife habitats through water. A common, direct exposure route is runoff from fields carrying chemicals into streams, ponds, and lakes. Animals may drink contaminated water or eat organisms that have absorbed or ingested the pesticide, leading to harm such as illness, reproductive problems, or behavioral changes. This pathway is a primary and well-documented way pesticides affect wildlife because it connects application to exposure in ecosystems where many species live and feed. While pesticides can reduce populations of target organisms, saying they universally eliminate food sources is too absolute and depends on the chemical, dose, timing, and ecosystem. Immediate extinction of species from pesticide exposure isn’t a typical or expected outcome in practice. And pesticides can influence habitats indirectly by altering community composition and food webs, so saying they have no effect on habitat isn’t accurate.

Pesticides can move beyond where they’re applied and enter wildlife habitats through water. A common, direct exposure route is runoff from fields carrying chemicals into streams, ponds, and lakes. Animals may drink contaminated water or eat organisms that have absorbed or ingested the pesticide, leading to harm such as illness, reproductive problems, or behavioral changes. This pathway is a primary and well-documented way pesticides affect wildlife because it connects application to exposure in ecosystems where many species live and feed.

While pesticides can reduce populations of target organisms, saying they universally eliminate food sources is too absolute and depends on the chemical, dose, timing, and ecosystem. Immediate extinction of species from pesticide exposure isn’t a typical or expected outcome in practice. And pesticides can influence habitats indirectly by altering community composition and food webs, so saying they have no effect on habitat isn’t accurate.