1Our Environmentcompetency-application
Why does the concentration of a non-biodegradable pesticide generally increase at successive trophic levels? Name the phenomenon.
Answer
The concentration increases because the pesticide is not broken down and accumulates through repeated consumption. This is biomagnification.
Solution
A top consumer receives the chemical stored in many organisms below it. Since the substance is non-biodegradable, its concentration becomes highest at the top trophic level.