Effects of Some Herbicides and Insecticides on Biota of North Dakota Marshes

Abstract

In a marsh sprayed with 2,4-D amine and water most of the plants were killed or injured. A similar expt. with 2,4-D ester and oil yielded results which were more severe. Such spraying must result in a reduction of food and cover for wildlife. DDT and oil decimated the insects in another marsh, but the effects on yound birds were not learned. Adult birds ate the poisoned insects without harm. Chlordane caused poor reproduction among birds; how or why this occurred is not known. Insects were greatly reduced but less so than by DDT. Toxaphene and oil caused heavy mortality to young birds and drastically reduced most invertebrates.