Food Web and a Food Chain within the Food Web

The producer(s) in the food web

Wiregrass is a producer because it makes its own food. Producers form the first level of any food chain. Producers of their own food are also called autotrophs, which are primarily one-celled organisms or plants. A significant number of autotrophs make their food through a process known as photosynthesis. For photosynthesis, the following agents must present carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight, but they do not need to eat for energy.

Producers are significant in the food web, food chains, and energy pyramids. Producers provide energy to all other tropical levels. Since there is energy transfer between these levels, a lot of energy wasted as they go up the levels. Many ecosystems cannot support their large number of tertiary consumers since they require much energy to survive. However, producers do not need a lot of energy to survive, hence that is why green plants are everywhere.

The herbivores in the food web

White-tailed deer are herbivores because it feeds on producers. An organism that feeds on plants is called herbivores. They vary in size from small insects to large ones. They are the second in trophic level since they provide on autotrophs; hence they are primary consumers. Most herbivores have several stomach chambers, flat molars for grinding plants. Besides, herbivores play a significant character in ensuring a healthy ecosystem through curbing an overgrowth of producers. Furthermore, some plants rely on herbivores for seed dispersal as well as help them in pollination. However, herbivores do not only rely on producers for food but also shelter and habitats.

Omnivores organisms in the food web and on which trophic levels are they feeding

Yes. Omnivores are animals that feed on both plants and animals. Omnivores are in the fourth trophic level together with carnivores which feed animals in the third level. Omnivores can be both secondary consumers and primary consumers. https://sciencing.com/trophic-levels-ecosystem-8205653.html

The carnivores in the food web

Florida panther is a carnivore. Carnivores mainly feed meat from other animals. In some incidences, carnivores can be called predators. An organism that is hunt by carnivores is called prey. Many carnivores feed on herbivores. Others provide omnivores and even on other carnivores as well. They have a natural adaptation that aids them quest. They have sharp teeth that help them kill the prey, strong jaws, and extended that enable them to rip apart. Also, they have sharp claws that they use in hunting. Birds that are carnivores have long and strong nails. Mainly have a curved beak that helps them in feeding.

A food chain within the food web that depicts at least three trophic levels. What organism in the selected food chain is a secondary consumer?

Wiregrass white-tailed deer Florida panther

Florida panther is the secondary consumer. This is because it feeds on white-tailed deer, which is a primary consumer. As mentioned earlier, carnivores are secondary consumers.

The non-native/invasive species in the food web and how they are altering this food web in the Everglades ecosystem.

Non-native/invasive species refer to animals or plants that can survive and spontaneously increase outside their natural habitats. From the food chain above, lionfish is one of these species. Invasive species are interfering with the equilibrium in Florida and the everglade natural ecosystem. Invasive exotic breeds such as fish devour the native species. Melaleuca shade out the indigenous trees bringing a lot of pressure on the everglade natural habitat. Invader species have multiple advantages over the indigenous ones since they lack natural predators in this new environment. Their population thus increases since they are unchecked bring intensive competition to the environment.

Choose a primary consumer in your food web. If its population suddenly started to decline, what density-dependent (biotic) factors could be causing it, and what would be the effect?

White-tailed deer are the primary consumerthe introduction of new predators. In a balanced ecosystem, primary and secondary consumers should have developed together. Predators should feed on enough prey to survive, not too many to kill all prey. The invasion of new pathogens leads to a decrease in wiregrass, leading to a decline in primary consumers. Lastly, the arrival of new species in the ecosystem occurs, hence, leading to competing with the native species. Therefore, a decrease in native primary consumers will be confirmed.

A decline in white-tailed deer will lead to a decrease in Florida panthers which are secondary consumers. This is because Florida panthers feed on white-tailed deer. Besides, there will be an increase in producers wiregrass since there is a decline in primary consumers.

Choose a secondary consumer in your food web. If its population suddenly started to increase, what density-dependent (biotic) factors could be causing it, and what would be the effect?

Florida panther is the secondary consumer. The arrival of new prey in the ecosystem will increase the secondary consumer since there will be more than enough for the predator. Increase in producers that the wiregrass. An increase in producers will lead to the rise in primary consumers hence growth in secondary consumers. An increase in secondary consumers will lead to a decrease in primary consumers, leading to an increase in producers.

Are there any keystone species in your food web? If a keystone species were removed from your food web, how would its loss impact the other organisms? If there are no keystone species in the food web, describe what this type of species is with an example and how it affects an ecosystem.

Keystone species are the organisms in an ecosystem that define the whole ecosystem, and without them, the ecosystem would collapse. They have a significant influence on the natural habitat since they control the population and distribution of organisms. Most of these keystone species are predators, and a good example is the Grey wolf in the great Yellowstone ecosystem.

What are the endangered or threatened species in your food web? If the species goes extinct, how would its loss impact the other organisms?

The endangered species in the above food web is the Florida panther. The absence of this predator in the ecosystem would lead to a spontaneous increase of the white-tailed deer. An increase in these primary consumers will put pressure on vegetation that acts as ground cover and boosts competition among all other organisms feeding on wiregrass, thus bringing imbalance in the ecosystem.

Food Web and a Food Chain within the Food Web