Pest Control Technician Practice Exam

How do accumulative pesticides impact wildlife?

1. They promote healthy wildlife populations

2. They reduce competition among species

3. They can lead to toxic build-up in animal tissues

4. They facilitate organic waste decomposition

The correct answer is: They can lead to toxic build-up in animal tissues

Accumulative pesticides can lead to toxic build-up in animal tissues due to their persistence in the environment and the biological processes of absorption. When these pesticides are introduced into ecosystems, they may not break down easily and can remain in the soil or water. As wildlife comes into contact with these substances, either directly or through the food chain, they can accumulate over time within the tissues of animals. This phenomenon, known as bioaccumulation, increases the concentration of harmful substances in higher trophic levels, potentially causing severe health issues such as reproductive failure, immune system suppression, and even death in wildlife populations. This impact raises concerns not only for individual species but also for overall biodiversity and ecosystem health.