Contamination of wild animals: Effects on wildlife in high radioactivity areas of the agricultural and forest landscape

Abstract

This study presents new findings related to radioactivity measurements in birds and other wild animals. High levels of radioactive contamination were found in the feathers of birds after the accident and most of this radioactivity was not washed out. However, there was little contamination in the new feathers produced by the same species after approximately 1 year. We discuss the possible effects of radioactivity, particularly cascade effects among wildlife in the Satoyama ecosystem. Satoyama consists of well-managed agricultural fields, grasslands, and several types of forests at a small-scale topography level. We describe our long-term monitoring approach.