Question

What is biological magnification? Will the levels of this magnification be different at different levels of the ecosystem?

Answer 1

Biological magnification:

1. The biological magnification occurs when dangerous chemicals enter the food chain.
2. Their concentration rises with each tropic level.
3. At different layers of the ecosystem, biological amplification is varied.
4. With each successive level, it will increase.

The level of biological magnification:

1. It reaches its highest point at the highest trophic levels and its lowest point at the lowest trophic levels.
2. It is highest in humans and lowest in autotrophs like plants.
3. e.g. harmful substances like pesticides enter into the herbivores when they eat them.
4. The pesticides enter other consumers of the food chain as well as humans.
5. Thus level of toxic materials of magnification increases at every trophic level of the food chain.