Question

Which of the following may occupy any trophic level in an ecosystem?
A) Plankton
B) Aquatic animals
C) Decomposers
D) Aquatic plants

Answer 1

Hint: A community or group of living organisms that live in and interact with each other in specific environments is known as an ecosystem. Consumers are animals who are unable to produce their own food and other creatures need to be eaten.

Complete answer:
First we should know about trophic level to answer this question. The place it holds in a food web is the trophic level of an organism. A food chain is a collection of organisms that consume other organisms and are able to feed themselves in exchange. The trophic stage of an organism is the number of phases from the beginning of the chain.

Now, let us find the solution from the options-
> The first trophic stage of an ecosystem is dominated by phytoplankton. The second trophic stage of an ecosystem is dominated by zooplankton feeding on phytoplankton. Thus, option A is not the correct option.
> In an ecosystem, aquatic animals inhabit whatever trophic stage. The first trophic stage is occupied by aquatic animals, such as zooplankton. The second trophic stage is dominated by aquatic animals, like small fish. The third trophic stage is dominated by aquatic animals, like big fish.
> At the high trophic stage, decomposers are found. Thus, option C is not the correct option.
> The first trophic stage is dominated by aquatic plants. Main producers, like trees, compose the first trophic stage. Thus, option D is not the correct option.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B) Aquatic animals.

Note: Herbivores are called species that consume the main producers. Carnivores are creatures that consume other creatures, and animals that eat both plants and other animals are considered omnivores. Decomposers (detritivores) decompose dead organisms’ material and waste and release it back into the recycle system as nutrients and energy.