Examples of Detritus Food Chain
A few examples of the detritus food chain are given below:
Terrestrial Detritus Food Chain
Microbes like bacteria and fungi break down the dead and decaying plants in the soil into simpler compounds. The detritivores such as earthworms feed on the decomposing plant materials containing the microbes and thus extract energy from them. Rat and small mammals in turn feed on the earthworms and thus energy transfers from earthworms to rats or small mammals. Snakes or other predators consume those rats or small mammals and thus obtain energy from them. Predators such as vultures or eagles eat those snakes and represent the top of the food chain.
Aquatic Detritus Food Chain
In an aquatic ecosystem, dead and decaying organic materials or fecal matter from organisms flow through water currents and settle down at the bottom of water bodies. Microbes break down those decomposing materials (detritus) into simpler compounds. The detritivores, like snails or small crustaceans, feed on the detritus and thus obtain energy from them. Large organisms like fish consume those detritivores and thus energy transfers from detritivores to fish. Larger predators such as fish-eating birds eat the fish and remain at the top of the food chain.
Mangrove Detritus Food Chain
In mangrove ecosystems, the detritus food chain starts from fallen leaves of mangrove trees. Phytophagous insects, insect larvae, crabs, copepods, and other small organisms consume those fallen leaves and thus obtain energy from them. Carnivorous fishes in turn consume these smaller organisms and thus energy transfers from smaller organisms to carnivorous fish. Larger fish or fish-eating birds feed on the carnivorous fish and thus represent the final consumers in the food chain.
Detritus Food Chain: Example, Diagram and Implications
The detritus food chain involves the efficient transfer of energy starting from dead decaying organic matter to higher trophic levels. A food chain is a sequence of transfer of energy in the form of food from one organism to another. The detritus food chain starts from dead decomposing organic materials.
In this article, we will look into the meaning, diagram, implications, and examples of the detritus food chain. We will also discuss the differences between the grazing food chain and the detritus food chain.
Table of Content
- What is the Detritus Food Chain?
- Examples of Detritus Food Chain
- Diagram of Detritus Food Chain
- Implications of Detritus Food Chain
- Difference Between Grazing and Detritus Food Chain
- Why are Detritus Food Chain Important?
- Conclusion – Detritus Food Chain
- FAQs on Detritus Food Chain