Question

Consider the role of herbivores in an ecosystem.

1. Herbivores are designated as first-order consumers or primary consumers.
2. They obtain their nutrition by directly feeding on plants.
3. Examples of terrestrial herbivores include cattle, deer, and grasshoppers.
4. Protozoans and crustaceans are common examples of primary consumers in aquatic ecosystems.

• A. All of these
• B. 1 only
• C. 4 only
• D. 2 only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. All of these

• Herbivores play a vital role as the link between producers (plants) and higher trophic levels in an ecosystem.

• They convert plant biomass into animal biomass, making energy available to carnivores.

• Their grazing activities can significantly influence plant community structure, distribution, and overall ecosystem productivity.

• The efficiency of energy transfer from producers to primary consumers is a key factor in determining the overall energy available to the rest of the food web.