Author Question: Give four categories of consumers in an ecosystem and the role that each plays. What will be an ... (Read 12 times)

fagboi · **on:** Jul 15, 2018

Give four categories of consumers in an ecosystem and the role that each plays.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How much solar energy is available, and what happens when it is used? What are some problems with harnessing solar energy?

What will be an ideal response?

1_Step_At_ATime · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 15, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Consumers can be divided into primary consumers (herbivores), omnivores, secondary consumers (carnivores), higher orders of consumers, and parasites. Primary consumers feed directly on producers. Animals that feed on primary consumers are called secondary consumers. Each level of consumer feeds on the level before. Higher-level consumers (like humans) may be found in several levels at the same time. Parasites may become associated with another plant or animal and feed on it over an extended period of time. Each organism has a place in the food web, and such predator-prey relationships help to keep the ecosystem in balance.

Answer to Question 2

There is more than enough solar energy available to supply all of our energy needs. If we could just somehow harness one single day's worth of solar energy we would be set for an entire year. Because solar energy is renewable (the Sun shines again tomorrow) it is not depleted when we use it (like fossil fuels are). Capturing and harnessing solar energy can be difficult because of cost limitations, availability of sunlight (the Sun shines for only half the day or less), and seasonal fluctuations in sunlight.