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Trophic level

Definition

noun, plural: trophic levels

A position in a food chain or Ecological Pyramid occupied by a group of organisms with similar feeding mode.


Supplement

For example, the primary producers are photosynthetic plants occupying the first trophic level. A group of organisms feeding on them is called herbivores, which form the second trophic level. Organisms feeding on the herbivores, called carnivores, occupy the next trophic level.


Word origin: Greek trophē, food.

See also: Ecological Pyramid, food chain, food web.


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Conditions for a stable ecosystem? (for a simulation)

... term, but I'm using it because it makes sense. It sounds like every trophic level is able to operate with zero resistance (ie competition, disease, environmental hazards, ...

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by AstusAleator
Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:44 am
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: Conditions for a stable ecosystem? (for a simulation)
Replies: 11
Views: 11998

Re:

... Now think of a very complex food web with hundreds of species on each trophic level. Remove one species, and the impact is diluted by the presence of all the other species, ...

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by MichaelXY
Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:16 am
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: ecosystems
Replies: 12
Views: 9256

ecosystems

... Now think of a very complex food web with hundreds of species on each trophic level. Remove one species, and the impact is diluted by the presence of all the other species, ...

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by AstusAleator
Sun Oct 26, 2008 5:04 am
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: ecosystems
Replies: 12
Views: 9256

The Ecological Pyramid: Breakdown or Reconstruction

... was an ecosystem where there was only 1 species representing every trophic level, then yes removing one entire species might cause others to go extinct. That's usually ...

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by AstusAleator
Sun Dec 24, 2006 8:41 am
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: The Ecological Pyramid: Breakdown or Reconstruction
Replies: 3
Views: 3188

2nd Level Consumer

If you're referring to 2nd level consumer, it is a heterotroph in the second trophic level, meaning it consumes organisms that feed on the producers or autotrophs.

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by Skeletor Rinpoche
Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:32 am
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: 2nd Level Consumer
Replies: 3
Views: 7628
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