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- https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Biology_(Kimball)/17%3A_Ecology/17.01%3A_Energy_Flow_through_the_Biosphere/17.1F%3A_Biomagnification_of_PesticidesThis page discusses how DDT accumulates in organisms through biomagnification across four trophic levels, resulting in higher toxin concentrations in top-level consumers such as ospreys and eagles. Th...This page discusses how DDT accumulates in organisms through biomagnification across four trophic levels, resulting in higher toxin concentrations in top-level consumers such as ospreys and eagles. The slow metabolism and excretion of DDT lead to severe ecological consequences, including population declines in affected carnivores, as trace amounts in primary producers like plankton become exponentially concentrated as they ascend the food chain.
- https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Biology_(Kimball)/17%3A_Ecology/17.01%3A_Energy_Flow_through_the_Biosphere/17.1B%3A_Food_Chains_and_Food_WebsThis page explains the roles of autotrophs, mainly plants, as primary producers in ecosystems through photosynthesis. It describes how energy flows from producers to herbivores (primary consumers) and...This page explains the roles of autotrophs, mainly plants, as primary producers in ecosystems through photosynthesis. It describes how energy flows from producers to herbivores (primary consumers) and then to carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers) in food chains and webs. The text highlights the inefficiency of energy transfer, averaging around 10%, leading to a decrease in energy and biomass at higher trophic levels. This creates pyramids illustrating the balance in ecosystems.
- https://bio.libretexts.org/Courses/Evergreen_Valley_College/Introduction_to_Ecology_(Kappus)/09%3A_Community_Structure_and_DynamicsPopulations that interact within a given area form a community. Ecologists study the organization and function of communities from the scale at many spatial and temporal scales. Communities are comple...Populations that interact within a given area form a community. Ecologists study the organization and function of communities from the scale at many spatial and temporal scales. Communities are complex systems that can be characterized by community structure (the number and size of populations and their interactions) and community dynamics (how the members and their interactions change over time). Scientists study ecology at the community level to understand how interactions between species and
