Food web in the ocean

Food webs describe the relationship between organisms in a habitat in terms of who is eating whom. Trophic levels within a food web are based on what an organism eats. For example, phytoplankton are primary producers, mussels and clams are basal consumers (lowest consumers in the food web), crabs are secondary consumers, sea otters are primary predators and great white sharks are top predators. In addition to providing food for higher consumers, species also perform other jobs, or functions, in their habitat.

Food web in the ocean

Organisms that have the same function in a habitat make up functional groups. Functional groups perform jobs such as water filtration, wave buffering, and nutrient recycling. These ecological functions are important for maintaining balance within a habitat and for providing humans with valuable services such as clean water, storm protection and climate regulation. Each ecosystem in the ocean and along the coast has its own set of species that make up different trophic levels and functional groups that co-exist in an healthy, functioning ecosystem. Species composition changes can affect this balance, and alter system functioning.

Goksenin Sen
Marine Educator


Reference:
Altered Food Webs. In Center for Ocean Solutions. Retrieved from http://centerforoceansolutions.org in June, 2012.