4.4 Trophic Levels

4.4 recall the names given to different trophic levels...


Trophic means 'of or relating to nutrition'
so a trophic level simply put is a feeding level.

1. First we have the Producer, these are the plants, they take light energy and turn it into chemical energy
• An example of this would be Grass.
2. Secondly we have the Primary Consumers, these are the first animals that eat the plant themselves, commonly known as Herbivores.
• For example a Grasshopper eats Grass.
3. Next there are the Secondary Consumers; animals that eat the primary consumer and turn the chemical energy into another form of chemical energy to be used by this animal.
• i.e. a Frog that eats Grasshoppers.
4. Finally we have the Tertiary Consumer, they eat the secondary consumer and turn its chemical energy to chemical energy suitable for its own use.
• Like a Bird of Prey or a Snake.
5. After any of these organisms die their remains are broken down by a group of organisms called Decomposers.
• Examples of these would be Fungi and Bacteria.
• Their job is to recycle the molecules and break down some of the complex molecules of the animals into Nitrates and Phosphates.