How did the pesticide DDT threatened the population of the brown pelican?
1 Answer
DDT changes the way in which birds metabolize calcium, resulting in unusually thin-shelled eggs which sadly can't support the weight of a mother during the incubation period.
Explanation:
The effects of DDT are still felt today, as even nowadays there are birds in the USA incapable of producing eggs that have shells thick enough not to crack. A good example is the California condor.
The lesson to be learned here is that if a product is incredibly effective at fixing one issue, we shouldn't assume it magically has no side effects, both in the short and long term. The use of DDT as a pesticide began in 1939 and continued for nearly 2.5 decades, devastating wildlife not just in that time period but for decades thereafter. Convenience come at a cost and we should learn from our mistakes with DDT usage.
