High School

What factors complicate the management of pest mammals and the regulations regarding the use of pesticides to control such pests?

Answer :

Final answer:

Managing pest mammals involves dealing with pesticide resistance, ecological impacts, costs, and reliance on natural predators. Biological control has both successes and failures, with public opinion influencing management strategies. Finding balance in these factors is critical for effective and sustainable pest control.

Explanation:

The management of pest mammals and regulations surrounding the use of pesticides presents several challenges. Factors complicating this management include the development of pesticide resistance in pest populations, the high cost of pesticides, and the ecological impact of pesticides, including the destruction of non-target species and potential health risks to consumers and agricultural workers. Furthermore, landscape complexity and natural predators play a significant role in pest control, leading to a preference for biological control methods. However, introduced biological control agents can sometimes attack non-target species and even cause extinctions. Public opinion and the balance between eradication and conservation complicate predator control efforts. These complexities are framed within a broader context of preserving biodiversity and minimizing human health impacts.