Multiple Choice
In the context of ecological roles, are sea cucumbers considered decomposers?
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48. Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
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In a typical grassland food chain, is a hawk considered a secondary consumer?
A
No, hawks are primary consumers because they feed on producers.
B
Yes, hawks are secondary consumers because they eat plants directly.
C
No, hawks are usually tertiary consumers because they prey on secondary consumers.
D
Yes, hawks are secondary consumers because they eat herbivores.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of trophic levels in a food chain. Producers (like plants) form the first trophic level, primary consumers (herbivores) form the second, secondary consumers (carnivores that eat herbivores) form the third, and tertiary consumers (carnivores that eat other carnivores) form the fourth.
Step 2: Analyze the role of hawks in a typical grassland food chain. Hawks are predators that typically feed on smaller carnivores or herbivores, such as rodents or snakes.
Step 3: Determine whether hawks eat producers (plants), herbivores, or other carnivores. Hawks do not eat plants directly, so they are not primary consumers. Instead, they prey on animals that are either herbivores or secondary consumers.
Step 4: Based on their diet, hawks are classified as tertiary consumers when they prey on secondary consumers (e.g., snakes) or as secondary consumers when they prey on herbivores (e.g., rodents).
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer depends on the specific prey of the hawk in the food chain. In this case, the correct answer is: 'No, hawks are usually tertiary consumers because they prey on secondary consumers.'
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