The role of chemical mixture interactions and environmental stressors in amphibians natural history and fitness

Due to the decrease in population of the common Kestrel in the United Kingdom, concerns have been raised about the use of Second generation anticoagulants.

It is believed that the raptors are exposed to these compound through secondary exposure, mainly from their diet, with a negative correlation between SGARs liver concentrations and population change. Therefore, the study aims to analyse the fitness and population of common Kestrels exposed to SGARs.

The objectives are to generate a methodology to evaluate the effects of SGARs using measurements in biological media, such as blood samples, that are then extrapolated to the liver which are then used to evaluate the impact of SGARS on fitness and to evaluate the degree of impact that these compounds have on the population.

Spatial risk will be characterised by evaluating the concentration of SGARs in a gradient of exposure.