Food is something without which no living organism can live and develop. Plants are living organisms that can independently create food for themselves from virtually nothing. Others feed on what was created without their participation.
What is a trophic chain?
The biosphere is huge and multifaceted. It includes a variety of creatures. Both beautiful and terrible. But all these creatures are connected to each other. Sometimes these connections are invisible, and sometimes the existence of another depends on one species. The most obvious connection between living things is the food. Food chains are also called trophic.
Plants are creatures that are capable of photosynthesis. This means that if there is carbon dioxide, the sun and water, then they can survive. Animals are not capable of this. Because the vast majority of trophic chains begins with plants.
Trophic chains are different. They are divided into two groups. Those trophic chains that begin with the producer are called pasture. But there are those that start with waste. For example, from corpses of animals. Such chains are called detrital.
Among living organisms, producers, consumers and reducers are distinguished.
Producers
Many trophic chains begin with producers. That is what all those organisms that produce nutrients for themselves are called. The most famous producers are green plants that are capable of photosynthesis. But also chemotroph bacteria, which can do without even the participation of sunlight, can also be attributed to them.
Consumers
But not all participants in trophic chains can do with a minimum. Most people need what was produced by others for life. Such consumers are called consumers. But among them one can distinguish different types of food groups.
Some animals feed on plants. They also fall into trophic chains. Their trophic level is not much higher than the plant. In turn, they will also become someone else's dinner.
Those who need meat for life are called predators. This is a new level. They are forced to go hunting in order to find food for themselves. In order to get food, they must use all their tricks to track down and catch the victim. Each predator has a list of preferences. This helps different species survive even in the most difficult times. This is especially important now, because many species are on the verge of extinction.
Reducers
Trophic chains include such unusual organisms as reducers. These are living beings who are called "grave diggers of nature." They help waste and corpses decompose into simpler components. Reducers feed on what no one else is interested in.
A corpse or waste that the reducer helps decompose is called detritus. Because the food chain, which begins so unusual, is detrital.
There are a large number of different reducers. Among them, fungi, bacteria, saprophages, necrophages and coprophages are distinguished.
Saprophages are those reducers that feed on the corpses of other living things. Necrophages also feed on corpses and carrion. Coprophages feed on the organic waste of living things. All these organisms help preserve purity in nature, give a place for life and growth to new living organisms. Although some consider these living things to be disgusting, it is impossible to imagine a healthy biosphere without them.
Examples of trophic chains
It is not easy to study trophic chains. Examples will help to understand who eats and who. The most common is the pasture trophic chain. It starts with a plant. So, you can start with cereals. They are included in the list of hare addictions. Hares are first-order consumers. Hares eat wolves. Wolves are second-order consumers.
Mice also love cereals. The mice in this trophic chain become first-order consumers. Sometimes mice become victims of hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are second-order consumers. They also cannot be calm for their lives, because they are hunted by foxes. The latter will become consumers of the third order.
Trophic chains can also be found in water. You can start with phytoplankton, which is able to independently feed itself. But they feed on zooplankton. Zooplankton is the food of small fish. And they, in turn, become the favorite treat of pike. But she, too, can become someone else's food.
The longest trophic chains can be found in the ocean. In such chains there are even consumers of the fifth and sixth order. Everyone can do a little research. It is very interesting and allows you to better understand the world.
Detritic trophic chains do not include so many participants. Usually they contain only waste or a corpse and the creature that eats them. The most famous reducers are bacteria and fungi.
