Radiation’s Impact on Different Animal Populations
Radiation detrimentally affects animals, causing everything from albinism to diseases. Tracking these effects is crucial for preventing radioactive mutations. The Chernobyl area, for instance, shows an increase in albinism and genetic mutations among birds, none of which are beneficial.
Populations of invertebrates like grasshoppers, butterflies, and spiders have drastically declined, not solely due to predation but due to radiation affecting their breeding grounds. Their eggs, laid in contaminated soil, lead to severe mutations, underscoring the profound genetic impact of radiation.