Ecological vulnerability analysis of food chains and ecotopes

Nature development in the Netherlands is often planned on contaminated soils. In a previous study we developed a method to predict ecological vulnerability in wildlife using autecological information. In the present study this method is further elaborated from different angles to assess ecological vulnerability in food webs and terrestrial and aquatic ecotopes in the Netherlands. The method was tested for six chemicals: copper, zinc, cadmium, DDT, chlorpyrifos, and ivermectin. Results indicate that trophic groups differ in vulnerability. Within and between food chains vulnerability is dependent of ecotope, but more so at low trophic levels. Earthworm based food chains are most vulnerable. The method has good potential for application in vulnerability mapping