Q. Consider the following as examples of the grazing food chain:

1. Grassland
2. Pond
3. Forest

Which of the above is/are correct?
Answer: Only 1 & 2
Notes: Grazing food chains are observed in ecosystems where herbivores feed directly on producers. In a grassland ecosystem, cattle and rodents are main grazers, consuming up to 50% of the net primary production. Similiarly in a pond ecosystem, zooplankton are the primary grazers. The remaining net primary production in both these ecosystems is left for decomposer organisms as dead organic matter. However, in a forest ecosystem, the main primary consumers are not large herbivores but insects which consume less than 10% of the net primary production, the rest is consumed by detritus feeding animals and microorganisms. This makes the food chain of a forest ecosystem a decomposer food chain rather than a grazing food chain.

This question is part of UPSC Daily 20 MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app.