Assessing Effects Through Semi-Field and Field Toxicity Testing

This chapter provides an overview of what to consider when planning or assessing either a semi-field or field study for toxicity testing. Elements in the design of semi-field and field studies encompass the study's objectives, the test organism, a study site, methods, endpoints, sample design, quality assurance and quality control standards, and the statistical analysis of the data. A semi-field study is designed to measure exposure or effects and is performed on a crop that is grown outdoors in an enclosed test system with controlled or confined exposure. A field study is designed to measure exposure or effects and is performed on a crop that is grown outdoors with no enclosure. The chapter describes the semi-field and field study for Apis and Non-Apis Bees. Monitoring schemes, for example, the UK Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS), rely on incidents being reported to a central organization.