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

What is transgenic animal, Question 1 Write a short note on the following- ...

Question 1 Write a short note on the following- Transfection Synthetic seeds Transgenic crops Agrometerology Question 2 Describe any 5 screening techniques use

How did the first fermenting autotrophs appeared, How did the first ferment...

How did the first fermenting autotrophs appeared? What about the first aerobic beings? A heterotrophic hypothesis asserts that the first living beings were the fermenting heter

Explain the uses of isP in cereal products, Explain the Uses of ISO in Cere...

Explain the Uses of ISO in Cereal products  Cereal products  ISP is sometimes used instead of, or in mixture with isolates and soy flour, in the formulation of milk replac

Fdas post marketing surveillance system works, Problem 1: How does the ...

Problem 1: How does the FDA's post marketing surveillance system works? Show FDA's post marketing surveillance system Explain about Adverse Event reporting system and

Sex determination - reproduction, Sex Determination - Reproduction Se...

Sex Determination - Reproduction Sex, whether an individual will be a male or a female is determined at fertilisation, and this directs and controls all the later processes i

Tolerance model - models of succession, Tolerance Model - Models of Success...

Tolerance Model - Models of Succession In this model, the presence of early successional species is not essential, that is, any species can start succession. Some species are

Arterial system of mammal, ARTERIAL SYSTEM OF MAMMAL Basic plan from...

ARTERIAL SYSTEM OF MAMMAL Basic plan from origin to distribution is similar in all vertebrates as per the mode of respiration. Main anterior aorta in terrestrial forms ar

Determine guidelines to lower risk and wise use of drugs, Determine Guideli...

Determine Guidelines to Lower Risk and Wise Use of Drugs? There can be no two views regarding the act that the management of many diseases require drug therapy. However, they m

photosynthesis: light energy to synthesize , Photosynthesis happens in alg...

Photosynthesis happens in algae, green plants and photosynthetic bacteria. Its part is to catch solar energy and use this to drive the synthesis of carbohydrate from water and carb

Phase contrast microscopy, Phase Contrast Microscopy Phase contrast micro...

Phase Contrast Microscopy Phase contrast microscope has the resolving power similar to ordinary light microscope. However, it enables us to observe the cellular organelles in liv

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