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( Trophic level)
In ecology, trophic dynamics is the system of trophic levels (Greek trophe, food), which describe the position that an organism occupies in a food chain - what it eats, and what eats it. Most ecosystems ultimately rely upon the Sun for energy and upon photosynthetic organisms to harness that energy. There are a few exceptions to this. For example, in deep sea hydrothermal vents and acid mine drainage, chemosynthetic archaea derive energy from the break down of sulfur rich compounds. In terrestrial ecosystems, plants such as grass are the primary producers and form the first trophic level. Next are herbivores (primary consumers) that eat the grass, such as rabbits. Next are carnivores (secondary consumers) that eat the rabbits, such as a bobcats.
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