Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 4/24/2008

Question
Can you explain the answer,thank you..

The following are examples of the first trophic level except
A)bushes
B)dead grass
C)mushrooms
D)flowers

Answer
Dear Hanife,

I don't answer homework questions, but I will explain that the first trophic level is the transfer of energy from primary producers (e.g., plants) to primary consumers, which eat them (e.g., herbivores or decomposers that break down the biomass of the primary producers).

The question above is poorly worded, since NONE of the answers are true examples of the "first trophic level."  I suppose one could say that a, b, and d are primary producers and mushrooms are consumers.  But that's not exactly the same as "first trophic level" which is the first *feeding* level above the primary producers.  So I think the answer they're looking for is "c" (mushrooms), but I would have worded this question differently.

I wonder who wrote that question, because it's technically not very accurate, and doesn't have a good answer.

Hope this helps.

Dana