Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection
Environmental Science and Technology
By: Michael G. Bertram, Marlene Ågerstrand, Jack A. Brand, Bryan W. Brooks, ZhiChao Dang, Alex T. Ford, Henner Hollert, Matthew K. LeFauve, Jack L. Manera, Jake M. Martin, Marcus Michelangeli, Maria Moiron, Eleanor R. Moore, Holly J. Puglis, Andrew Sih, Jeffery A. Steevens, Eli S.J. Thoré, Bob B.M. Wong, Lauren Zink, and Tomas Bodin
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Abstract
A substantial body of evidence exists demonstrating that exposure to environmental contaminants can alter animal behavior. Moreover, methodological and technological advancements, as well as increasing standardization, mean that behavioral ecotoxicity studies are more rigorous and reliable than ever before. Despite this, behavioral data are still seldom used in the risk assessment and regulation of chemicals. This is partly due to a lack of clarity among some stakeholders about whether changes in behavior at the individual level result in population-level outcomes. To address this, we first consider the state of evidence within the field of behavioral ecotoxicology linking individual-level behavioral alterations with population-level consequences. We then assess the evidence from behavioral ecology and other neighboring fields that supports this link. Further, we evaluate whether some behavioral endpoints are more easily tied to population-level changes than others. In this regard, we propose combining insights from two complementary ecological frameworks─the functional trait framework and the limiting traits framework─to evaluate which behaviors should be prioritized in ecotoxicological research and regulatory efforts. We contend that the link between behavioral changes and population-level outcomes is evident, with behavioral endpoints representing a highly valuable yet so far underutilized line of evidence in applied environmental protection.
Suggested Citation
Bertram, M.G., Ågerstrand, M., Brand, J.A., Brooks, B.W., Dang, Z., Ford, A.T., Hollert, H., LeFauve, M.K., Manera, J.L., Martin, J.M., Michelangeli, M., Moiron, M., Moore, E.R., Puglis, H.J., Sih, A., Steevens, J.A., Thoré, E.S., Wong, B.B., Zink, L., and Bodin, T., 2025, Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection: Environmental Science and Technology, v. 60, no. 1, p. 86-95, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c07777.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection |
| Series title | Environmental Science and Technology |
| DOI | 10.1021/acs.est.5c07777 |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication Date | December 24, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Chemical Society |
| Contributing office(s) | Columbia Environmental Research Center |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 86 |
| Last page | 95 |