The food chain as a system of relationships in nature

All living organisms constitute a single, interconnected system.All are subject to certain laws of nature, the violation of which is sometimes irreversible phenomena.The food chain - is one example of relationships between organisms.It has a very complex structure, and brings together representatives of many species of flora and fauna.

supply chain is a sequence of different kinds of organisms related by "food - the consumer."During this process, and energy recovery of organic compounds from the previous user Prices followed.Alternatively one can say that the food chain - is the transfer of energy through a certain number of organisms by their eating each other.These links are called trophic.

Each food chain of animals and other organisms divided into several levels, which are also called trophic.

Typically, the first level consists of the representatives of the plant world, ie green plants, fungi and algae.Followed by animals that feed on plant food.Next up trophic level carnivores.They feed on herbivorous representatives of fauna.

food chain may consist of several layers, but it is usually 3-4 includes link.This is determined by the fact that most of the energy goes to the maintenance of vital processes and the growth of the organism.Therefore, each successive level is less than the previous one, and the number of participants is reduced.The ratio here is as follows: about a ton of plants account for 100 kilograms of the animals that eat them.Carnivores in this circuit will be 10 kilograms of biomass, and the next level will be equal to 1 kilogram of the substance synthesized from biomass.

This forms the ecological pyramid.It shows the number of animals, or biomass energy that has food chain at each level.

Naturally, each unit of higher level includes individual larger size.But this large organisms develop more slowly and compete with each other.It is worth noting that they have fewer enemies and destroy much less.The main constraint to their development is the limited amount of food and limited territory.

Lower types of organisms of the food chain are less limited in the diet, but are subject to significant extermination.

Depending on their composition to distinguish between different kinds of food chains.

1. Pasture chain are a series of links that start with plants.They are found mostly in the sea space and land ecosystems.For example, plants absorb energy from the sun and are a food source for insects (butterfly absorbs nectar).In turn, the dragonfly feeds on butterflies, and she is the food for the frog.For the frog is really a danger, which could become the victim of another predator.This is - an example of movement of organic matter through the food chain.

2. detrital food chain is a chain decomposition.It begins with the decomposition products of plants and animals.These chains are well represented in the bodies of water, oceans and lakes.So, many of the inhabitants are used in food dead organisms, or their feces trapped outside the decay products (leaves from coastal trees).

3. Parasitic circuit composed of organisms, which live by parasites of the first order, and so on. D.

all processes in nature are interconnected.Disturbances in the food chain leading to disturbances in the whole ecosystem.Every living organism has its own niche in these relationships.It does not depend on the level or the size of the individual.