Introduction to SPEAR (Week 10)

Question 1

What does SPEAR stand for

Answer 1

SPEcies At Risk

Question 2

Dont need to know the Log TU formula for quiz :)

Question 3

The SPEAR approach is based on:

Answer 3

• Species sensitive to pesticides
• Calculation of Toxic Units for each compound
• Assess the relative sensitivity of taxa to pesticides (compared to D. magna)

Question 4

What is Glyphosate pesticide used for

Answer 4

(Organophosphate) to control weeds

Question 5

What is Cypermethrin pestiscide used for

Answer 5

(Pyrethroid) control pine weevils

Question 6

What did Zhao et al. 2013 state about the amount of pesticide used each year

Answer 6

Over 2 million kg of pesticides are applied to crops each year

Question 7

How many surface water bodies assessed failed to achieve good chemical status in 2016-2021

Answer 7

173 (50%) of the 349 water bodies assessed failed to achieve good chemical status. This includes failures for ubiquitous substances.

Question 8

A species is ‘at risk’ if it matches all of the following criteria:

Answer 8

Its sensitivity to organic toxicants including pesticides is equal to or higher than the sensitivity of Daphnia magna.
If one criteria is not met its assumed the species can tolerate exposure.

Question 9

What are the life cycle traits of SPEAR species

Answer 9

Length of lifecycle/generation time
Migration ability
whether species is present during periods of expected maximum exposure

Question 10

Why is the sensitivity of Daphnia magna used as a reference point

Answer 10

Widely distributed
Important link in many food chains
Relatively short life cycle and easy to culture
Broad sensitivity

Question 11

What is LC 50

Answer 11

Concentration of toxin that will kill 50% of subjects after being exposed to it after a fixed time period (24, 48 hrs)

Question 12

What value does the calculation of Relative Sensitivity have to be if considered sensitive

Answer 12

Species with an S value greater than -0.36 considered sensitive for SPEAR approach

Question 13

Species from the SPEAR approach are regarded vulnerable on life cycle traits if:

Answer 13

Generation time is less or equal to 6 months
Low migration ability
Fully aquatic or adults emerge after May

Question 14

Considered as SPEAR or SPEnotAR based on:

Answer 14

a combination of life cycle traits and sensitivity

Question 15

What does the SPEAR index value have to be for high and bad WFD class

Answer 15

> 44 High
0 - 10.99 Bad

Question 16

Changes to SPEAR linked to:

Answer 16

Agrochemical application periods

Question 17

What value is TU (D.magna) when not receiving and receiving pesticide input

Answer 17

Not receiving: <-3.5
Receiving: > -3.5

Question 18

What was SPEAR approach originally developed for

Answer 18

For species - level data

Question 19

The SPEAR Index is the only method currently available that can:

Answer 19

Link degradation of biology at a site to pesticide exposure
Give indication on the level of contamination