Food Web Trophic Levels
Food webs are represented by distinct trophic levels, which can be divided into two main categories as follows:
Autotrophs
Autotrophs in a food web are organisms that produce their own food by utilizing energy from the sun. Also known as producers, they convert sunlight energy through photosynthesis or utilize inorganic compounds via chemosynthesis to produce organic molecules, mainly glucose. These organisms form the base of food chains and food webs, that provides energy and nutrients for other trophic levels. Examples of autotrophs include algae and plants.
Heterotrophs
Heterotrophs in a food web are organisms that cannot produce their own food and depends on autotrophs or other organisms for the food. Also known as consumers, they are divided into various trophic levels based on their food behaviour in the food web as follows:
- Primary consumers: These are also known as herbivores, directly feed on the autotrophs,
- Secondary consumers: These are also known as carnivores. They feed on primary consumers. For example snakes, wolves, fox, etc.
- Tertiary consumers: These are also known as carnivores. They feed on primary consumers. For example snakes, wolves, fox, etc.
- Quaternary Consumers: In some ecosystems, a higher trophic level is present that preys on tertiary consumers. These are known as the apex predators, often with no natural predators of their own. For example human being.
Decomposers: In a food web decomposers break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. This process is known as decomposition. For examples fungi, and some bacteria.
Food Web – Definition, Diagram, Food Chain and Examples
A food web is a natural interaction between the different food chains that represent the flow of nutrients and energy within the ecosystem. It is also known as a consumer-resource system. Food web provides an overview of the feeding behaviour of different animals, their interactions with each other and their surrounding.
The food Web acts as a valuable tool in understanding the flow of energy and nutrients represents species interactions, provides ecosystem services and contributes to biodiversity. In this article, we will study food webs in detail.
Table of Content
- What is Food Web?
- Food Web Diagram
- Food Web Trophic Levels
- Food Web Examples
- What is Food Chain?
- Difference between Food web and Food chain
- Importance of Food web
- Conclusion – Food Web
- FAQs on Food Web