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The need for an evolutionary approach to ecotoxicology

Nature Ecology & Evolution volume 4, page 895 (2020)Cite this article

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To the Editor — It has been argued that that we are currently facing the sixth mass extinction event1, and the ubiquitous use of chemicals is one major driver for this loss of biodiversity2. Ecotoxicology, the estimation of environmental risks imposed by chemicals, is therefore an essential backbone for adequate mitigation efforts by stakeholders. However, if evolutionary biology is not taken into account in ecotoxicology, we may be asking the wrong questions in order to protect natural biodiversity. Here, we propose focusing on fitness, the essential factor governing wild populations, for ecotoxicological risk assessment (ERA).

Current ERA schemes appear flawed and outdated3 because they emphasize the mandatory endpoint measurement survival, despite evidence of sublethal effects being far more common and likely having severe consequences4. Focusing on longevity only becomes relevant if it ultimately enhances fitness. Irrespective of what the stressor may be, it therefore seems apparent that any reduction of fitness, and not survival alone, will have fundamental consequences for all species. Furthermore, false negative results, such as ecotoxicological studies yielding negative evidence for survival or even indicating enhanced survival5, but disguising a reduced fitness6, are likely to occur. Indeed, there are ample data showing clear negative effects of chemicals on fitness, but not on survival7, probably due to a trade-off between survival and reproduction8. It is therefore obvious that such a trade-off is paramount for any meaningful ERA. This also holds true for any measurement of sublethal effects, given they are no more relevant than mortality for the evaluation of fitness. Ultimately, any assessment of a sublethal parameter is only valid if it adequately reflects fitness. Therefore, conventional ecotoxicology tests are probably misleading for risk assessment schemes and will lead to inadequate policymaking. A change in mind set must occur in our community, because nature conservation requires an evolutionary approach.

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  1. Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Lars Straub, Verena Strobl & Peter Neumann

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  1. Lars Straub
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  2. Verena Strobl
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  3. Peter Neumann
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Correspondence to Peter Neumann.

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Straub, L., Strobl, V. & Neumann, P. The need for an evolutionary approach to ecotoxicology. Nat Ecol Evol 4, 895 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-1194-6

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