Question

What are the trophic levels? Give an example of a food chain and state the different trophic levels in it.

Answer 1

Trophic levels:

1. The position, level, or position in a food web, a food chain, or an ecological pyramid is known as a trophic level.
2. The first trophic level is formed by the producers, as they produce food.
3. The second trophic level is formed by the primary consumers.
4. The third trophic level is formed by the secondary consumers.
5. The fourth trophic level is formed by the tertiary consumers.

Example of a food chain:

1. Sun ⇒ Grass ⇒ Grasshopper ⇒ Shrew ⇒ Owl
2. Here producer is the grass, which is consumed by the grasshopper, that is, the primary consumer.
3. The grasshopper is further consumed by the shrew, that is, the secondary consumer.
4. Lastly, the shrew is eaten up by the owl, that is, the tertiary consumer.