Fig. 2.

Decision scheme 1 to assess the reliability of a microcosm/mesocosm study to derive regulatory acceptable concentrations (RACs) on the basis of treatment-related effects of pesticide exposure. (^a))Informed by e.g. available single species and semi-field tests and other read-across information. (^b))Ecologically vulnerable due to potential intrinsic sensitivity to the test item, likelihood of exposure, long life cycle (e.g. bi-, uni- or semi-voltine) and/or low immigration potential. (^c))For example, focussed population-level and microcosm/mesocosm studies addressing additional sensitive species or population modelling