Food Chains in the Amazon:
Like all other ecosystems, the food chains in the Amazon have 5 different components:
1. Primary producers – These are the organisms that produce the source of food for the community. Producers are usually green plants and are essential for the survival of the community. An example of these in the Amazon Rainforest are the trees, shrubs, bromeliads and other plants
2. Highest order consumers – These are the animals that are at the top of the food chain as they do not have any predators but do not necessarily eat the producers. Examples of these in the Amazon Rainforest are jaguars, gorillas and anacondas.
3. Primary consumers -These are the organisms or animals that eat the producer, i.e. the first animal to eat in the food chain. Examples of these in the Amazon Rainforest are the macaws, monkeys, agouti, sloths and toucans.
4. Secondary consumers – These are the organisms or animals that eat the primary consumer. Examples of these in the Amazon Rainforest are the jaguar and the boa constrictor.
5. The decomposers –These are bacteria and fungi that break-down dead bodies and waste and recycle matter for the producers to re-use. Examples of these in the Amazon Rainforest are mushrooms, insects and microorganisms
An example of an Amazon Rainforest Food Web is illustrated below:
1. Primary producers – These are the organisms that produce the source of food for the community. Producers are usually green plants and are essential for the survival of the community. An example of these in the Amazon Rainforest are the trees, shrubs, bromeliads and other plants
2. Highest order consumers – These are the animals that are at the top of the food chain as they do not have any predators but do not necessarily eat the producers. Examples of these in the Amazon Rainforest are jaguars, gorillas and anacondas.
3. Primary consumers -These are the organisms or animals that eat the producer, i.e. the first animal to eat in the food chain. Examples of these in the Amazon Rainforest are the macaws, monkeys, agouti, sloths and toucans.
4. Secondary consumers – These are the organisms or animals that eat the primary consumer. Examples of these in the Amazon Rainforest are the jaguar and the boa constrictor.
5. The decomposers –These are bacteria and fungi that break-down dead bodies and waste and recycle matter for the producers to re-use. Examples of these in the Amazon Rainforest are mushrooms, insects and microorganisms
An example of an Amazon Rainforest Food Web is illustrated below: