Trophic Levels and Organism Localization and Interaction Specific to the Philippines - Research Paper Example

The reefs provide food security and livelihoods to people in the country. However, the stability of reefs in the region is under threat. This has occurred due to destructive fishing methods and overuse of resources (Unico Conservation Foundation, 2012). The threat in this ecosystem is seen as a threat to the Philippines ' livelihoods due to a higher level of reliance on reefs.

Trophic Levels

In coral reefs, there exists a feeding relationship between various organisms. The relationship helps in the transfer of energy from one level to another (Rose, 2009). A reef in a normal environment ensures the stability and sustenance of these organisms.

In the lower level of the reef are the producers. These ensure there is a creation of food for other organisms up in the system. There are a number of producers in the coral reef ecosystems.  The most common are phytoplankton, algae, and species of seaweed (Rose, 2009).  However, the major producer in the system is phytoplankton (Rose, 2009). The organisms at this stage live in close association with the corals. Hence, they contribute to the make-up of the reefs.

Consumers occupy the second level (Rose, 2009). However, the consumers are divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary. The first level in this stage is occupied by primary consumers (Rose, 2009). The consumers at this level are herbivores (Rose, 2009). Some of the major herbivores in the marine environment include zooplankton, invertebrate larvae, benthic grazers, sea urchins, some corals, and crabs as well as green sea turtles and herbivorous fish (Rose, 2009). However, the most abundant consumers at this stage are zooplankton (Rose, 2009). However, the feeding mechanism of creatures at this level varies. For example, the benzoic grazers and some coral species adopt a different mechanism in which they feed through filtration (Rose, 2009). The form of feeding helps them to filter phytoplankton out of the water. Other creatures eat algae and seaweed directly. The organisms live in the opening, in the reefs.

The second step is occupied by secondary consumers. The animals in this stage are exclusively carnivorous. They feed on primary consumers (Rose, 2009). The reef ecosystem comprises four main groups of secondary consumers (Rose, 2009). The groups include plankton feeders, corallivores, feeders on another benthic invertebrate, and piscivores. Plankton feeders include the barnacles Tubastera sp. (Rose, 2009). Examples of corallivores include butterflyfish (Chaetodon ornatissimus), the crown of thorns sea star (Acanthaster planci), and parasitic snails (Drupella sp.) (Rose, 2009).  Moreover, examples of benthic invertebrates include cephalopods, arthropods like shrimps, and tritons (Charonia tritonis) (Rose, 2009). Examples of piscivores are mollusks and arthropods (Rose, 2009). These organisms usually live around the reef. At the top of this level are the tertiary consumers (Rose, 2009). The group comprises larger fish that eats on the smaller one.  Examples of organisms in this rank are sharks, barracudas, and moral eels (Rose, 2009). These organisms usually live around the reef.

Decomposers occupy the last step of the chain. This plays a significant role in reef ecosystems.  Their role is to break down dead biological matter and waste products (Rose, 2009). The result is a generation of usable energy and returns of essential materials in the environment(Rose, 2009). The main decomposers in the ecosystem included bacteria such as Nitrosomonas sp and Nitrobacter sp. Other organisms of the essence in this stage are detritivores such as sea cucumbers, some species of snails, crabs, and bristle worms (Rose, 2009).

The organisms are most likely to occupy the top part of the reef. Some may contribute to the structure while others may rely on the structure. The major contributor of the structure is mostly the primary producers such as a sponge and algae. The other organisms are most likely to rely on the reef structure.

Conclusion

It is clear a small ecosystem may comprise a large diversity of life. However, it is obvious that this diversity is under threat in the Philippines. This is due to increasing human activities. Therefore, some control mechanism is needed to save the ecosystem.