Air Pollution Effects on Terrestrial and Aquatic Animals

Abstract

Air pollution has adversely affected animals since the advent of the industrial revolution (Newman 1980). Currently, the greatest threat to animal biodiversity from air pollution occurs in industrial countries where regional impacts (e.g., acid precipitation, ozone) are causing widespread direct and indirect effects to animals and their habitats. In Eastern Europe, local, regional, and transboundary air pollution is severe. Future threats will occur as underdeveloped countries that have minimal air pollution controls industrialize. Of particular concern are those areas, such as the tropical forest of the Amazon Basin, that harbor the world’s greatest biodiversity including many species yet to be described (Wilson 1988).