why animals at the top of the food chain are particularly at risk from poisons in the environment????
2007-11-25 06:33:48 · 3 answers · asked by RoxyGurl98 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
I believe it's called biological "Magnification".
In order to survive, animals higher on the food "chain" (or pyramid) must consume much more food than those below them. Example:Tiny Aphids on leaves are subjected to a pesticide. Three spiders eat 500 aphids each (with all that pesticide!). Along comes a bird and eats the three spiders. The bird has consumed all the poisons eaten by the aphids and spiders.
By the way, high levels of DDT in birds prevents proper egg shell development and possibly eventual extinction.
2007-11-25 07:13:25 · answer #1 · answered by ursaitaliano70 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are most likely to be in the poisoned environment?
Chemicals such as DDT can be safe when used as intended and correctly. Unfortunately they are often abused, causing the associated problems.
2007-11-25 06:38:40 · answer #2 · answered by E. F. Hutton 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they consume the most food, therefor the most ddt.
2007-11-25 06:37:22 · answer #3 · answered by a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋