Light

Trophic Cascades

Definition

Trophic cascades occur when changes in the population size of one species at a particular trophic level in an ecosystem indirectly affect populations at other trophic levels. This can lead to a chain reaction of effects throughout the entire food web.

Analogy

Imagine a game of Jenga, where each block represents a different species in an ecosystem. If you remove one block from the bottom, it can cause the whole tower to collapse, just like how changes in one species can have ripple effects throughout an entire ecosystem.

Related terms

Keystone Species: A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance. They often play critical roles in maintaining the structure and function of ecosystems.

Apex Predator: An apex predator is a top-level predator that has no natural predators in its ecosystem. The presence or absence of apex predators can greatly influence trophic cascades.

Primary Producer: Primary producers are organisms that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of most food chains and providing energy for higher trophic levels.