Question

1. What are trophic levels? Give an example of a food chain and state the different trophic levels in it.
2 What is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem? ​

Answer 1

Answer:

Ans 1. The first trophic level includes herbivores like a cow, goat, etc. - The second trophic level includes carnivores like a tiger, lion, etc. - The tertiary trophic level includes omnivores like humans, bears, etc. - The trophic level of an organism is the position that it occupies in a food web.

Ans 2. Decomposers play a critical role in the flow of energy through an ecosystem. They break apart dead organisms into simpler inorganic materials, making nutrients available to primary producers.

Answer 2

The questions are answered below:

1. Trophic levels are -

In a food chain, the organisms are placed at a certain level based on their source of nutrition. These levels are called trophic levels.

A food chain is illustrated below-

$Grass \rightarrow Grasshopper \rightarrow Fish \rightarrow Man$

In this food chain, different trophic levels are listed below:

• First trophic level: Grass here is the producer occupying the first trophic level.
• Second trophic level: Grasshopper is the primary consumer occupying the second trophic level.
• Third trophic level: Fish can feed on the grasshopper and it is the secondary consumer. It occupies the third trophic level.
• Fourth trophic level: Man can consume fish, thus it is the tertiary consumer. It occupies the fourth trophic level.

2. Role of decomposers in the ecosystem is as follows:

• Decomposers obtain their energy from the dead and decaying organic matter.
• Decomposition is necessary so that nutrients are mixed up in the soil, which are taken by the plants, i.e., producers.
• Thus, the decomposes help in sustaining the eco system.