Trophic levels

Definition (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trophic_levels)

The trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies in a food chain. The word trophic derives from the Greek word trophe referring to food or feeding. A food chain represents a succession of organisms that eat another organism and are, in turn, eaten themselves. The number of steps an organism is from the start of the chain is a measure of its trophic level. Food chains start at trophic level 1 with primary producers such as plants, move to herbivores at level 2, predators at level 3 and typically finish with carnivores or apex predators at level 4 or 5. The path along the chain can form either a one-way flow or a food "web". Ecological communities with higher biodiversity form more complex trophic paths. (Wikipedia)

Preferred Units: N/A

Scope Note:
N/A

This term is used for the following terms: 
Energy levels

Approved Date
01-Aug-2013

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