Background

Pollution, of many diverse types, has direct and indirect impacts on mammals. Water-borne pollutants can devastate otherwise productive wetland and coastal habitats. Many pesticides linked to mammal deaths are still in widespread use and especially those targeting rodents may pass up through the food chain to predatory mammals. Oil spills remain a threat to some mammals of aquatic habitats, while solid waste is an increasing problem. Little is known of the long-term effects of many pollutants, including those that persist and accumulate in the environment. Organic farming, with reduced or zero input of pesticides, herbicides or artificial fertilizers, is included in this chapter.