Question

Ecologic theories are often based on fundamental biological processes and conditions. In the case of plants, there are several theories relevant for them, for example: the Food web or Food Chain theory. This theory establish a complex network where predators interacts with preys, in order to sustain the life. But where are located plants in all of this? This chain begins with a primary producer (so called autotroph) which can be a plant. Plants are able to manufacture its own food supplying other animals such as herbivores and omnivores. This chain is important to maintain life on earth and It's relevant to plants because the are the first echelon on this chain. 1. what is the phenomena that this theory explains? 2.what are some of the broad applications of the theory? 3.what is a reasonable prediction base on the theory

Answer 1

1. what is the phenomena that this theory explains?

The trophic chain describes the process of transference of nutritious substances through the different species of a biological community, in which each one feeds on the preceding one and is the next one's food. It is the current of energy and nutrients that is established between the different species of an ecosystem in relation to its nutrition. Food chain is a cycle of an energy.

2.what are some of the broad applications of the theory?

One of the broader applications of this theory is the study of ecosystems. Ecosystems are studied by analyzing food relations, the cycles of matter and energy flows. In this context, knowing the trophic chain is one of the key point to understanding food relations into an ecosystem.

Other fundamental purpose is to describe feeding relationship among species in a community. Food chains or Food webs can be constructed to describe the species interactions. Grouping all species into different functional groups or tropic levels (e.g., primary producer, first consumers, second consumers, tertiary consumers) helps us simplify and understand the relationships among these species.

Finally, they can be used to illustrate indirect interactions among species. This occurs when two species do not interact with each other directly, but influenced by a third species. Species can influence one another in many different ways. For example, keystone predation.

3.what is a reasonable prediction base on the theory

Using food-web theories can better predict population sizes, species abundances, measure and test for generalized patterns in the structure of real food web networks, energy flow, distribution of biomass.