Scientific Opinion on the state of the science on pesticide risk assessment for amphibians and reptiles

Abstract

Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues developed an opinion on the science to support the potential development of a risk assessment scheme of plant protection products for amphibians and reptiles. The coverage of the risk to amphibians and reptiles by current risk assessments for other vertebrate groups was investigated. Available test methods and exposure models were reviewed with regard to their applicability to amphibians and reptiles. Proposals were made for specific protection goals aiming to protect important ecosystem services and taking into consideration the regulatory framework and existing protection goals for other vertebrates. Uncertainties, knowledge gaps and research needs were highlighted.

Re-registration Challenges of Glyphosate in the European Union

“…As described earlier, effects of glyphosate and its formulated products on amphibians and mollusks (Conners and Black, 2004;Mann et al, 2009;Relyea and Jones, 2009;Paganelli et al, 2010;Carrasco, 2013;Meza-Joya et al, 2013;Wagner et al, 2013;Henao Muñoz et al, 2015;Baier et al, 2016a,b) received particular attention due to their known hormonal sensitivity. Differential toxicity of glyphosate and its formulated PPPs have been also considered in the official scientific opinion by EFSA on pesticide risk assessment for amphibians and reptiles (Ockleford et al, 2018). Identification of acute lethal, physiological and genotoxic effects of glyphosatebased herbicides, including Roundup Original R and Roundup Transorb R , have continued on amphibians (Lajmanovich et al, 2011(Lajmanovich et al, , 2013(Lajmanovich et al, , 2014Yadav et al, 2013;Bellantuono et al, 2014;Levis and Johnson, 2015;Gandhi and Cecala, 2016;Rissoli et al, 2016;Soloneski et al, 2016) and reptiles (Latorre et al, 2013;Siroski et al, 2016).…”

Guidance for Developing Amphibian Population Models for Ecological Risk Assessment

“…In ecotoxicology, models can depict detrimental exposures to chemicals within the context of population decline and recovery or translate sublethal effects into long‐term impacts. Despite global population concerns, amphibians are underrepresented in ecological models (Schmolke et al ), and standardized toxicological methods for amphibians are relatively recent (OECD , ); therefore, significant advancement in understanding critical data needs and uncertainties of amphibian population models is needed (EFSA ). Here we provide a review of constraints important to amphibian population dynamics as a first step in the necessary translational ecology, interpreting ecological knowledge in terms amenable to a decision‐making process (Enquist et al ).…”

“…Likewise, life‐history strategies and associated demographic rates can be indicative of population resilience to extrinsic stressors (Stark et al ). Defining a species’ trait‐based vulnerability also facilitates determination of focal species (representative of other species in a defined group) which could be modeled further (EFSA ). By identifying traits associated with species vulnerability, we can ensure that they inform population models so that estimations of risk are adequately represented.…”

“…Database compilations of amphibian demography and habits (Oliveira et al ; Tacutu et al ; AmphibiaWeb ) and previously published reviews and meta‐analyses (Lips et al ; Sodhi et al ; Egea‐Serrano et al ; EFSA ) were used to construct a list of traits related to amphibian vulnerability (Table ). Traits are classified by the way in which they might be indicative of population risk and how they would influence model development.…”

“…Survival can be dependent on body size, site, season duration, and freeze transitions, whereas recruitment can be dependent on environmental conditions such as pond depth, the previous year's precipitation, season duration, annual number of egg masses, body size, and site (Lambert et al ). The capacity for any population to recover from detrimental impacts is often dependent on the species’ reproductive rate, ability to recolonize based on movement patterns and home range, and co‐occurrence with multiple stressors (EFSA ).…”