Okay the question is:
Why would there be differences in the pesticide levels found in different species? Atlantic Puffin (feeds on small fish) and its pesticide levels are lower compared to Double-crested Cormorant (fees on larger fish) and Leach's Storm-Petrel (feeds on small organisms near the surface of the water), why would this be?
What does your book say about concentrations of pesticides in different species? Is it possible that these pesticides become more concentrated the higher up the food chain the species is?
It doesn't say anything. And Leach's Storm-Petrel is in the second trophic level like Atlantic Puffin, but the Leach's Storm Petrel still have a higher level of pesticide.
To understand why there are differences in pesticide levels among different species, we need to consider a few factors related to their feeding habits and ecological roles.
1. Diet: Different species have varying dietary preferences and feeding habits. Pesticides primarily enter an ecosystem through the food chain, starting from plants and smaller organisms, then passing on to larger organisms through consumption. For example, if a certain type of pesticide accumulates more in the bodies of larger fish, it is likely to be transferred to organisms that prey on them, such as the Double-crested Cormorant.
2. Trophic levels: Species occupy different trophic levels in a food chain depending on what they feed on. Organisms at higher trophic levels tend to have higher pesticide levels because they accumulate the pesticides present in the bodies of their prey. In the given scenario, the Atlantic Puffin feeds on small fish, which may have lower pesticide levels compared to the larger fish consumed by the Double-crested Cormorant.
3. Feeding behavior: The feeding behavior of a species also affects its exposure to pesticides. For instance, the Leach's Storm-Petrel primarily feeds on small organisms near the surface of the water. These organisms may be less likely to accumulate pesticides compared to larger fish found deeper in the water column, which are preyed upon by the Double-crested Cormorant.
Therefore, the differences in pesticide levels among the Atlantic Puffin, Double-crested Cormorant, and Leach's Storm-Petrel can be attributed to variations in their diet, trophic level, and feeding behavior. These factors influence the amount of pesticide accumulation in their bodies through the food chain.