Case Study 2A - Aquatic/terrestrial (bats)

Pollutant transfer and effects in the interface between aquatic and terrestrial environments

Institutions: CSIC

CS Coordinators: Ana López-Antia, Silvia Lacorte

Objectives / Hypothesis

Linking aquatic and terrestrial pollutant fate and hazards in a tailored risk assessment for bats in rice fields.

Description of the case study

Case Study 2A investigates the impact of plant protection products(PPPs) on bat populations in rice field ecosystems, aiming to understand the transfer of PPPs from aquatic to terrestrial environments and the subsequent hazards they pose to bats.

Assessment of the role of bats in pest control and how PPP use influence their populations are examined. To achieve this, researchers will monitor bat populations, PPP residues in bats, invertebrates, and the environment, as well as insect abundance and diversity.

Case Study Goal

  • Exposure assessment 

    • Knowledge on PPP application dates (from farmers)

    • Residues of PPPs and degradation products in bats (blood and faeces) and invertebrates (whole body) during application periods

  • Effect assessment - Direct effects, characterized at different levels of biological organization

    • Biomarkers from metabolomic analysis

    • Bats’ behavior before/after PPP applications (acoustic surveys). Indirect effects from insect availability

  • Biodiversity monitoring - Richness and abundance of flying and benthic insects (acting as food for bats and as pests for rice fields)

Species

Photos from field work in the Ebro Delta in SYBERAC Case Study 2A

Involved stakeholders

  1. Rice farmers, Ebro Delta Natural Park management

  2. Research institutions working in the area (Museu Granollers, IRTA)

  3. National (SEO, SECEM, AEE) and local (Picampall) nature protection NGOs

Locations

Astronaut's photo of the Ebro delta region, the Ebro River at the Mediterranean, Catalonia, Spain. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16617

Description:

  • Ebro Delta (northeast of Spain)

  • 65% occupied by rice fields, mixed with protected wetlands

Video description of the case study area in the Ebro Delta.

Learn more about the case study

Featured
Ana López Antia about biodiversity conversation & her fieldwork for Case Study 2A
Case Study 2A
Ana López Antia about biodiversity conversation & her fieldwork for Case Study 2A
Case Study 2A

With this interview Ana López Antia gives insight into her fieldwork for case study 2A, also sharing some funny memorable moments. Further learn more about how this project`s findings and tools can aid biodiversity coversation and important aspects it adresses.

Case Study 2A
Featured
Workshop on Environmental Risk Assessment in the Ebro Delta
Case Study 2A
Workshop on Environmental Risk Assessment in the Ebro Delta
Case Study 2A

The Environmental Risk Assessment workshop in Ebro Delta was held to explore key aspects of environmental risk assessment. This event, focused on a case study conducted in the Ebro Delta, highlighted the intricate interaction between aquatic and terrestrial environments, with a particular emphasis on using bats and their potential prey as model species. The workshop brought together a diverse and engaged group of participants, including farmers, government representatives, agricultural advisors, and researchers.

Case Study 2A