Spatial analysis of the occurrence of protected butterflies in six European biogeographic regions as a tool for the environmental risk assessment of Bt maize

In the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified plants (GMP), the consideration of the different environments where genetically modified plants (GMP) will be commercially grown (the receiving environments) plays a crucial role. In addition, relevant protection goals which may be a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:BioRisk 2018-02, Vol.13 (154), p.31-52
Main Authors: Marion, Dolezel, Andreas, Bartel, Andreas, Heissenberger
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal behavior
Bt gene
Butterflies
Butterflies & moths
Corn
Data security
Genetically engineered foods
Genetically engineered organisms
Genetically modified crops
Genetically modified organisms
Genetically modified plants
Geographic information systems
Protected species
Protection and preservation
Risk assessment
Spatial distribution
Wildlife conservation
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified plants (GMP), the consideration of the different environments where genetically modified plants (GMP) will be commercially grown (the receiving environments) plays a crucial role. In addition, relevant protection goals which may be adversely affected by the GMP have to be considered during the ERA. Using a literature- and GIS-based approach, distribution data of protected lepidopteran species listed in Council Directive 92/43/EEC and of maize cultivation was used in order to evaluate potential spatial overlaps between GM maize and protected non-target Lepidoptera in different biogeographical regions (BGR) of the EU. Each BGR has its peculiarity regarding maize cultivation and the distribution of protected butterflies. The lepidopteran fauna of the Pannonian BGR is particularly sensitive due to large maize cultivation shares and wide distribution of protected butterflies within this BGR. For the BGRs evaluated potential, spatial exposures of protected butterflies to GM maize cannot be excluded. This study shows that the suggested approach is a useful tool for the consideration of EU-wide protected species in different receiving environments during the problem formulation of the ERA of GMPs.
ISSN:1313-2644
1313-2652
DOI:10.3897/biorisk.13.20688