Biomagnification
Biodiversity
The total sum of species in an area
This is a natural resource and needs protection
Why ?
We get medicines, food and Diversity
Threats to biodiversity...
Human activity alters habitats
Extinction, endangered species
Invasive Species: new species that are introduced to an area that reproduces rapidly causing ecological change.
Biomagnification
Organisms at the top of the food chain have a higher degree of harmful substances then the organisms at the lower levels.
How does this occur?Farmers use a pesticide on crops
It does not biodegrade, so it washes into the streams
Algae absorbs it; small fish eat the algae
The bigger fish eat lots of small fish (therefore lots of pesticide)
Large birds eat the fish
The highest concentration of pesticides are found at this level.
Example: Bald eagles and their eggs
Rachel Carson discovered this
Must know figure 6-16 in book