Question

Geetha said “a given species may occupy more than one tropic level in the same ecosystem at the same time”. Do you support her or not? Explain your answer with example.

Answer 1

I support her for the following reason. 

1. A snake eating a mouse in a field or lawn occupies the third tropic level.

Plant → Mouse → Snake 

2. When the snake eats a frog in the same field, it occupies the fourth tropic level in a food chain. It is because the frog feed on some of the insects that depend on the plants. 

Plant → Insect → Frog → Snake 

3. Thus, a given species may occupy more than one tropic level in the same ecosystem at the same time. 

4. This is to satisfy its food needs, as it cannot do so by occupying one tropic level.