Trophic levels (biology only)

• What do trophic levels refer to in an ecosystem?


  Trophic levels refer to the hierarchical stages in a food chain.
• Why is it important to understand trophic levels in an ecosystem?


  Understanding trophic levels helps explain how energy and nutrients move through an ecosystem.
• What are the four main trophic levels in an ecosystem?


  1. Producers (Autotrophs)
  2. Primary Consumers (Herbivores)
  3. Secondary Consumers (Carnivores/Omnivores)
  4. Tertiary Consumers (Higher-level Carnivores)
• What organisms are classified as producers in trophic level 1?


  Plants and algae are classified as producers.
• What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?


  Producers make their own food through photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy.
• What process do producers use to convert sunlight into energy?


  Producers use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy.
• Why are producers important in a food chain?


  They form the foundation of all food chains by providing energy for primary consumers.
• What organisms are classified as primary consumers in trophic level 2?


  Animals that feed on plants or algae, such as cows and rabbits.
• What is the role of primary consumers in an ecosystem?


  Primary consumers obtain their energy by consuming producers.
• Give two examples of primary consumers.


  Cows and rabbits are examples of primary consumers.
• What organisms are classified as secondary consumers in trophic level 3?


  Carnivores that eat herbivores are classified as secondary consumers.
• What is the role of secondary consumers in an ecosystem?


  Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers, transferring energy from one level to the next.
• Give two examples of secondary consumers.


  Frogs and small fish are examples of secondary consumers.
• What organisms are classified as tertiary consumers in trophic level 4?


  Carnivores that eat other carnivores are classified as tertiary consumers.
• What is the role of tertiary consumers in an ecosystem?

  Tertiary consumers are often predators that hunt secondary consumers.
• Give two examples of tertiary consumers.


  Owls and large fish like sharks are examples of tertiary consumers.
• What are apex predators?

  Apex predators are carnivores at the top of the food chain with no natural predators.
• What is the role of apex predators in an ecosystem?


  Apex predators maintain balance in the ecosystem by controlling populations of prey species.
• Give two examples of apex predators.


  Lions and killer whales are examples of apex predators.
• What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?


  • Decomposers break down dead organic matter.
  • They convert dead organisms into small, soluble molecules.
  • They recycle nutrients back into the soil for producers to use.
• What are some examples of decomposers?


  Bacteria and fungi are examples of decomposers.
• How do decomposers recycle nutrients in an ecosystem?


  Decomposers convert dead organisms into small, soluble molecules that are absorbed into the environment.
• What percentage of energy is passed on to the next trophic level?


  About 10% of the energy is passed on to the next level.
• Why do food chains rarely have more than four or five trophic levels?


  Food chains rarely have more than four or five trophic levels because 90% of energy is lost at each level.
• What happens to the energy at each trophic level?


  • About 10% of energy is passed to the next level.
  • 90% is lost as heat or used in metabolic processes.