Trophic Levels and Energy Flow

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Energy passes through trophic levels

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Trophic levels are the rank in feeding hierarchy: Producers, Consumers, Decomposers.

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Producers

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Producers are autotrophs, the source of all food, using photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

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Consumers

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Consumers are heterotrophs that consume other organisms for energy.

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Decomposers

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Decomposers are heterotrophs that recycle matter and release organic compounds for producers.

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Autotrophs

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Autotrophs are self-feeders that capture solar energy for photosynthesis.

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Photosynthesis

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Photosynthesis is the process by which producers use solar energy to produce sugar.

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Chemosynthesis

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Chemosynthesis is the use of geothermal energy by bacteria to produce sugars.

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Primary Consumers

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Primary consumers are the second trophic level, consuming producers, also called herbivores.

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Secondary Consumers

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Secondary consumers are the third trophic level, preying on primary consumers, also called carnivores.

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Examples of Producers

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Examples include green plants, seaweed, cyanobacteria, and phytoplankton.