What are trophic networks and examples

The trophic relationships They are those that are established between individuals and species around food, or rather, around organic matter for energy, functional and structural purposes. As a note, it is important not to confuse food with nutrition, since nutrition includes, in addition to obtaining organic matter, aspects related to water balance and breathing.

Those organisms that have a similar diet are grouped into levels. In most ecosystems we find the following trophic levels:

• Producers: They transform inorganic matter into organic matter. In general, species capable of performing photosynthesis. Producers are the only “autotrophic” organisms, or who are able to generate their own organic matter. The rest of organisms, which need an external contribution of organic matter, are “heterotrophs.”
• Primary consumers: They feed on primary producers. They are the so -called herbivores.
• Secondary consumers: They feed on secondary consumers. They are carnivores.
• Tertiary consumers: They feed on secondary consumers. They are known as superdedors.
• Decomponers: They close the cycle transforming organic matter into inorganic matter that is used by producing organisms. In this other ecology article, you can learn more about what are the living beings decomposing with examples.

Now, we see then that there is a Matter cyclewith several chemical transformations and ecological relationships in between. All organisms have some kind of relationship with organisms located at these levels. In fact, most organisms do not have one, but several relationships with other species. The “trophic networks” or sets of trophic relationships between the organisms of an ecosystem are then formed. An illustrative graphic representation is usually made with the different organisms and arrows that indicate the relationship of matter.

The networks include a multitude of “trophic chains”, or a chain in which organisms serve as a matter contribution for another, and so on. A Trophic chain example It would be: wheat => field mouse => Rapaz bird => decomponer bacteria. They are more or less useful simplifications of Trophic networksalthough they are not a good representation of what happens in nature.

Trophic networks are usually very complex, since most organisms establish a large number of relationships. For example, a producing plant organism can be consumed by several herbivores, and omnivorous organisms They can have relationships that cover more than two trophic levels. The decomponers More complete, such as small insects or bacteria, they can also feed on a wide variety of sources.

Trophic networks have great importance within ecosystems, since they are one of the main factors for the regulation of populations, or regulation of the number of individuals of each species that belong to the ecosystem.

The number of relationships established by an organism within its network establishes its importance within it. The greater the number of relationships, the greatest importance, since they have influence in the regulation of a greater number of populations. That is why conservation efforts are often focused on Great superdedorslike the wolves (Canis lupus) or brown bears (Ursus arctos), since these are usually one of the organisms that have the most influence on this regulation.

As a reflection, it should be noted that the entire world behaves as a large solar battery. Although there are autotrophic bacteria that do not depend on sunlight, their contribution to the whole of the terrestrial biomass is not significant. Thus, plant organisms are the “batteries” that They transform energy that comes from the sun in chemical energy contained in the links of organic matter.

Let’s see some Interesting examples of trophic networks:

Terrestrial Trophic Network

An example of a trophic network that occurs on the earth’s surface is established in agroecological systems, very complete systems in which a clear anthropic influence is seen, which has modified the previously existing trophic relationships.

Aquatic or Marine Trophic Network

The marine trophic networks depend largely on the depth, which is found. Near the surface we find photosynthetic algae, which are the basis of the chain of small invertebrates. However, at high depths light is not able to penetrate the ecosystem. In the deepest areas, a large part of the organisms are decomposing, which feed on “what falls from above.”

Although total relationships are cyclical, the same biomass at all levels is not accumulated. In fact, each level that rises reduces the amount of biomass at that level. Thus, we can meet a Ecological pyramid in which autotrophic producing organisms are the base.

It is important to note that the biomass passage from one trophic level to another is a very inefficient process. In fact, it is estimated that about 90% of accumulated energy is lost in the links of organic matter from one level to another. Therefore, based on this, one could say that reducing our meat consumption is not only better from the ethical point of view, but also from the energy point of view.

In this other post of ecology, we discover more about what the ecological pyramids and their types are.

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