Question

What are the limitations of detritus food chain?

Answer 1

Now, let me explain with this food chain. Detritus food chain starts with the dead organic material. It is consumed by the decomposers ( earthworms break them into simple organic materials, microbes converts them into inorganic martial such as C,N,P). These decomposers(earthworms and microbes) become food for the next trophic level organisms and it goes on ( earthworm -----> small birds ------> big birds ------> animals )

As per 10% rule, this food chain will go on for four or five trophic levels and it has to end at some trophics, no matter how huge is the availability of detritus food source, the chain is limited only.