Question

(b) “The detritus food chain may be connected to the grazing food chain at some levels in an ecosystem.” Give an example in support of the statement.
[0.5cm]

Hint:

The interconnection between food chains highlights the importance of decomposers in transferring energy and nutrients to primary and higher trophic levels.

Answer 1

Soil microorganisms decompose dead plant matter and organic debris into nutrients. Plants then absorb these nutrients, functioning as producers in the grazing food chain. Earthworms, for example, consume detritus and are subsequently prey for organisms at higher trophic levels, thereby connecting the two food chains. This interconnectedness highlights the cycling of energy and nutrients, with waste materials being reprocessed into food chains, which sustains ecosystem health. The detritus food chain effectively supplements the grazing food chain by processing decomposed organic matter.% Quick tip