Autorentext

Dr. Vidya Padmakumar is a biologist and ecotoxicologist whose work focuses on avian systems,
environmental contamination, and ecological risk assessment. Her research examines how persistent
organic pollutants move through ecosystems and manifest in bird populations, with particular emphasis on biomonitoring, trophic transfer, and species-level responses. She completed her doctoral studies at Mangalore University and has since been actively involved in interdisciplinary research, scientific publishing, and environmental consulting. Dr. Padmakumar is affiliated with the EcoDiversity Research Centre in British Columbia, Canada, where she contributes to ecological and human health risk assessment projects. In addition to her research, she plays an active role in scientific communication and editorial work, serving as Editor-in-Chief of The IOU Flutter, the magazine of the International Ornithologists' Union. Her interests lie in connecting field ecology with applied environmental science and in strengthening the role of avian studies in understanding global contaminant dynamics.

Dr. Murugan Shanthakumar is an environmental scientist and ecotoxicologist with broad expertise in contaminant dynamics, environmental risk assessment, and ecosystem-level analysis. His work integrates chemical, ecological, and human health perspectives to evaluate the impacts of pollutants
across terrestrial and aquatic systems. Over the years, he has been involved in a wide range of
research and consulting initiatives, contributing to environmental monitoring, risk assessment frameworks, and multidisciplinary project development through the EcoDiversity Research Centre.
Dr. Shanthakumar has a strong focus on applied science, particularly in translating complex ecotoxicological data into meaningful insights for environmental management and policy. His
research interests span persistent organic pollutants, emerging contaminants, and the interactions
between environmental stressors and ecosystem health. He has collaborated with researchers and
institutions across regions and continues to contribute to advancing integrative approaches in
environmental science and sustainability.

Together, the editors bring complementary strengths in avian ecotoxicology and environmental
risk assessment, combining field-based ecological insight with applied analytical frameworks.
Their collaborative work reflects a shared commitment to understanding the role of persistent pollutants in shaping ecological systems and to developing science-based approaches for monitoring and conservation.

Klappentext

Synthesizing up-to-date findings from multiple continents and disciplines, Birds and Persistent Organic
Pollutants: Exposure, Effects, and Risk Assessment fills a critical gap in ecotoxicology, providing the first comprehensive volume dedicated solely to birds and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

POPs continue to pose a significant and long-term threat to ecological systems worldwide, with birds
serving as some of the most informative indicators of environmental contamination. This book examines how these chemicals move through ecosystems, accumulate in avian species, and influence physiological processes, population dynamics, and conservation outcomes. Spanning a diversity of habitats - from Arctic marine systems to agricultural landscapes in the tropics - it provides a global perspective on how POPs interact with avian ecology under both historical and emerging contaminant scenarios.

Integrating mechanistic, ecological, and applied perspectives, the chapters collectively explore realworld exposure pathways, species-specific responses, and the broader implications for biomonitoring and environmental management. The book also highlights the continued relevance of legacy pollutants alongside emerging chemical concerns, offering a nuanced view of contaminant risk in a changing world.

Key Features:

• Integrates ecotoxicological mechanisms with field-based avian studies across multiple ecosystems
• Includes diverse case studies on seabirds, raptors, terrestrial birds, and agricultural species
• Explores physiological impacts such as endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and bioaccumulation dynamics
• Examines birds as biomonitors for tracking spatial and temporal trends in POP contamination
• Links contaminant exposure to conservation challenges and ecosystem-level risk assessment An essential resource for researchers, graduate students, and professionals in ecotoxicology, ornithology, environmental science, and conservation biology, this also serves as a valuable reference for those involved in environmental monitoring, risk assessment, and policy development related to persistent pollutants.

Inhalt

1. POPs in Avian Ecotoxicology 2. Persistent Organic Pollutants and their Impact on Avian Survival: Characteristics and Case Study Insights 3. Bioaccumulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Antarctic Penguins 4. Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Greater Rhea (Rhea Americana): Ecological Exposure Pathways, Bioaccumulation Dynamics, and Conservation Implications in Agricultural Landscapes of South America 5. Effects of POPs on Avian Physiology 6. Endocrine Responses of Arctic Seabirds to Persistent Organic Pollutants: Insights from Black-Legged Kittiwakes (Rissa Tridactyla) 7. Oxidative Stress Pathways Linked to Persistent Organic Pollutant Exposure in Seabirds: Implications for the Black-Backed Gull (Larus Dominicanus) 8. Assessing Risks of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) for Nesting Colonies of Birds of Prey and Seabirds in the Northwestern Indian Ocean Ecosystems 9. Biochemical Insights of Vulture Population in Nepal with Respect to Assessing Risks of Persistent Organic Pollutants for Avian Species and Ecosystems 10. The Barn Owl as a Biomonitor for Persistent Organic Pollutants 11. An Ecological Perspective of Raptor Ecotoxicology in Spain: From DDT to PFAS 12. Governing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Poultry Farming in the Context of Viet Nam