An Evaluation of the Relationship Between Osprey Nesting and Agricultural Land During the Use of DDT

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Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

Many beloved species of raptors have suffered for a long time due to the human use of pesticides. Osprey is one of the multiple raptor species to suffer from the negative effects of a harsh pesticide called dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane commonly known as DDT. The chemical runoff from agricultural farms into the Chesapeake Bay would enter the food chain, causing the pesticide's biomagnification. This chemical would weaken the eggshells of the raptor, causing a failure of reproduction as their eggs had become too weak for survival.  When the pesticide was banned, the Osprey population numbers suffered immensely, this project aims to assess if there is any relationship between the placement of agricultural land location and osprey nesting numbers.