Detritus food chains, Biology

Assignment Help:

Detritus Food Chains

Detritus food chains begin with dead organic matter which is an important source of energy. A large amount of organic matter is contributed by the death of plants, plant parts, animals and their excretion products. These types of food chains are present in all ecosystems but they are over dominating in forest ecosystems and shallow water communities. Various species of microscopic fungi, bacteria and other saprophytes play a prominent role in decomposing organic matter to obtain energy needed for their survival and growth. In this process they release various nutrients, locked in dead organic matter, which are used readily by the green plants. Detritus food chains are interconnected with grazing food chains and other auxiliary food chains through certain specific common organisms to permit crossing over of energy and material flow from one circuit to another.

For example, cattle do not assimilate all of the energy stored in plants, undigested residues in faeces become available for the decomposers and the detritivores. Detritus food chains are located mainly in the soil or in the segments of aquatic ecosystems. They form an essential component of natural ecosystems and are necessary for self-sustenance and for maintaining ecological balance. Detritus food chains can be of great practical value for modern man for sewage treatment and control of water pollution. Most of the natural ecosystems possess both grazing and detritus types of food chains. Their relative importance however, varies from one ecosystem to another. In terrestrial and shallow water ecosystems, detritus food chains dominate because a major proportion of the annual energy flow passes through this circuit. In case of tidal marshes, almost 90 per cent of the primary production is routed through the detritus food chains. In deep water aquatic systems rapid turnover of organisms and high rate of harvest are responsible for the dominance of grazing food chains.


Related Discussions:- Detritus food chains

Fortification to prevention of iron deficiency anaemia, Define Fortificatio...

Define Fortification to prevention of iron deficiency anaemia? Food fortification is one of the alternatives that ensure consumption of the nutrient regularly in daily diet. Fo

A field trip to observe flowers, A field trip to observe flowers:- Plan...

A field trip to observe flowers:- Plan a field trip to view flowers in bloom. If no interesting wildflowers can be found growing near the school, the trip can be planned to a p

Iaa stimulates cell enlargement, IAA Stimulates Cell Enlargement Cell...

IAA Stimulates Cell Enlargement Cell wall contains layer of cellulose fibrils and are normally quite rigid. Thus for a cell to grow, there must be a mechanism for relaxing th

Define the high blood plasma levels of progesterone, Z is a healthy adult f...

Z is a healthy adult female who ovulates in each menstrual cycle; Z is not pregnant.  During Z's menstrual cycle, high blood plasma levels of progesterone   A. Occur just prior

Determine the term poliomyelitis - brian diseases, Determine the term Polio...

Determine the term Poliomyelitis - Brian diseases Poliomyelitis is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus that has a special affinity for the motor neurons of the spinal

Theory of embryology - baer''s law, BAER' S LAW - It was given by K.E....

BAER' S LAW - It was given by K.E. Von Baer. Von Baer was the first scientist who studied the embryology systematically. According to it, in the embryonic development of an

Vitality and vigour - qualitative characters, Vitality and Vigour - Qualita...

Vitality and Vigour - Qualitative Characters Vitality is related to the condition of a plant and its capacity to complete its life cycle, while vigor refers more specifically

What is..., What is antistaphylococcal prophylaxis and pseudomonas aerugino...

What is antistaphylococcal prophylaxis and pseudomonas aeruginosa? I''m doing a project on cystic fibrosis, and I''m curious what these terms have to do with the disease. Thanks!

Pets, Pets, Medical Research and Zoos - Wildlife Animals and plants ar...

Pets, Medical Research and Zoos - Wildlife Animals and plants are gathered throughout the world for zoos, private collectors, pet shops and researchers in biology and medicine

Define the density of egg, Define the density of egg  The density of e...

Define the density of egg  The density of egg products is not affected by dehydration. When a dried egg product is reconstituted to its natural solids, it has about the same d

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd