Pasture food chain - an example of the relationship of organisms within the biocenosis

In any biocenosis there is a cycle of substances. This means that they move continuously, and also go from inanimate to living and back. The source of energy for this process is the sun. Its energy during the cycle is first converted into the energy of chemical bonds, then into mechanical bonds and then into thermal bonds, as a result of the food relations of organisms within the biocenosis.

These relationships are also called trophic chains.

General concept

To fully investigate the biocenotic relationships of different organisms in science, the concept of a food chain is applied. Biology gives him the following definition: they are series of species or groups of organisms between which food relations are ordered, and each previous link in the chain is food for the next.

Links of food chains

In any supply chain, there are several links.

The first link is producers, or producers. Their role is played by autotrophic plants, which in the process of photosynthesis convert solar energy into energy of chemical bonds.

The second link is the consumer. These include herbivores (primary consumers) and carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers) animals.

The third link is the decomposers. They are represented by microorganisms that decompose organic residues to inorganic substances.

Ecological pyramid

In the transition from one trophic (nutritional) link to another, there is always a loss of substances and energy in a tenfold size. This is considered a regularity and in the environment is called the rule of the ecological pyramid.

At the base of the pyramid are the producers. Primary consumers are above them. The next step is secondary and tertiary consumers. At the top are predators. The height of the pyramid can be different depending on the length of the food chain. Usually it does not exceed 4-5 links because of the rapid decrease in energy.

It is important that the composition of each link may include several species that eat monotonous food. And animals that eat different foods may take a different position in the chain or even enter into different chains.

Types of food chains

In all biocenoses certain types of food chains are represented. They bear the following names: dendritic, pastoral. Each species has its own characteristics and begins with certain organisms. So, the pasture supply chain is an example of food relations that begin with green plants capable of photosynthesis. Such a chain usually underlies the biocenosis. The dendritic form begins with organisms using released energy when they process waste organic substances.

Examples of food chains

The trophic interactions of organisms in biocenoses are quite complex. Often there are parallel power circuits. Examples: herbaceous vegetation - small rodents - predatory animals; Grassy vegetation - herbivorous (ungulate) animals - large predatory animals. Such chains unite representatives of different tiers of biocenoses and make stable connections between them. Interaction data is a pasture supply chain. The example above shows the sequence of building links in it.

A complex system of trophic relationships within the biocenosis ensures its stability, dynamism and integrity. If the equilibrium within the species (reduction of its number as a result of the epidemic, human activity), which is a link in the chain, the complete or partial destruction of the entire biocenosis occurs.

What is a pasture food chain? An example can be given the following: a man killed small rodents for the preservation of their cereal lands. As a result, many predators died for lack of food, for which they served as food. Further, the decomposers began to process little organic (dead) residues and produce an inadequate amount of minerals. The consequence of this over time was scant vegetation due to a lack of inorganic substances. As a result, the entire biocenosis can become impoverished and turn into a different type.

Also, the body of water is an interesting and intuitive relationship between organisms. This is also an intra-pastoral food chain. Example: the pond was cleaned, as a result of which algae and zooplankton disappeared. This resulted in the extinction of small fish that feed on them. Further, the disappearance of predatory fish also occurs. As a result, the number of all microorganisms decreases, the species diversity of plants and animals decreases, the entire system is disrupted. Restoring it will require considerable time and certain conditions.

Thus, food links within the biocenosis are the main factors of its stability and development.