Question

Compare grazing and detrital food webs. Why would they both be present in the same ecosystem?

a) Grazing: Predators feed on herbivores; Detrital: Decomposers break down dead matter; Both needed for nutrient cycling
b) Grazing: Predators feed on detritivores; Detrital: Decomposers break down living matter; Both needed for energy transfer
c) Grazing: Herbivores consume detritus; Detrital: Decomposers feed on living organisms; Both needed for ecosystem stability
d) Grazing: Predators feed on producers; Detrital: Decomposers break down nutrients; Both needed for population control

Answer 1

A grazing food web involves energy transfer from plants to herbivores and carnivores, while a detrital food web involves decomposers breaking down organic material from dead organisms. Both are crucial in an ecosystem for nutrient cycling and energy flow. The correct comparison would be a) Grazing: Predators feed on herbivores; Detrital: Decomposers break down dead matter; Both are needed for nutrient cycling.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing grazing and detrital food webs, it is important to recognize that they serve distinct but complementary roles within an ecosystem. A grazing food web typically consists of photosynthetic organisms at its base, such as plants, followed by herbivores and then various carnivores. In contrast, a detrital food web starts with decomposers and detritivores that feed on decaying organic matter from dead organisms, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

These two types of food webs are both necessary for the health and function of an ecosystem. Grazing food webs are important for the flow of energy from producers to consumers, while detrital food webs are essential for breaking down and recycling nutrients from dead organic matter, thereby supporting nutrient cycling. Their coexistence within the same ecosystem ensures the efficient transfer of energy and recycling of material, which are key to maintaining ecosystem stability and function.