How does bio-magnification of pesticides affect owls?

Bio-magnification of pesticides in the food chain leads to increased concentrations of harmful chemicals in organisms at higher trophic levels, including owls. As owls prey on smaller animals that have accumulated these toxins, they can experience detrimental health effects, such as reproductive issues, weakened immune systems, and neurological damage. This not only impacts individual owls but can also threaten entire populations and disrupt local ecosystems. Consequently, the decline of owls can indicate broader environmental health concerns related to pesticide use.