Chapter 24.2, Problem 2CYP

Summary Introduction

To describe:

The trophic level.

Introduction:

Energy is needed by every organism to sustain life. Plants trap the solar energy converting it into carbohydrate which is then eaten and tapped by other organisms like cows, sheep. Lion and other meat-eating organisms, feed on these animals and so on the link or connection continues. Thus, the energy moves in a path which is known as the food chain. However, an ecosystem's availability or preferences may be more complex leading to an interlocking pathway known as a food web.

The food web is used to explain species interaction by categorizing different organisms into specific feeding groups. These feeding groups are referred to as trophic levels.