ABSTRACT
The current regulatory framework is considered compatible with a future implementation of ecological and population models into the environmental risk assessment of plant protection products. The need for interpretation and extrapolation tools is most evident in the context of studies of aquatic model ecosystems, eld studies of terrestrial arthropods, and studies of birds and mammals. Ecological sensitivities vary among species; that is, a species’ ecology determines how sensitive populations are to exposure of plant protection products. Some ecological models submitted in the past were rejected mainly because they were not considered to be representative of the variability of ecological sensitivities found among species. In order to ensure a better acceptance of ecological models in future risk assessments, starting with a proper denition of the regulatory question should be considered an integral part of good modeling practice.
