Interactive Ecosystem Engine: Food Chains, Webs, & Energetics | www.aplusnexus.com
Master these strict specifications required for ecosystem, trophic structure, and energy transfer assessments:
All the populations of different species living and interacting in the same habitat at the same time.
The mutual reliance of organisms within a community for food, shelter, pollination, and seed dispersal.
An autotrophic organism (typically green plants or algae) that synthesizes organic molecules via photosynthesis.
An herbivorous animal that feeds directly on autotrophic producers (Trophic Level 2).
A carnivorous or omnivorous animal that feeds on primary consumers (Trophic Level 3).
A carnivore that feeds on secondary consumers (Trophic Level 4).
An organism occupying the top position in a food chain with no natural predators.
The exact position an organism occupies along a food chain sequence, numbered from producer (1) upward.
The dry mass of living biological material present in an organism or trophic level, usually measured in g/m².
A community where biotic and abiotic factors exist in balance so population sizes remain roughly constant over time.
Construct a linear energy pathway by selecting exactly one organism per trophic level. Invalid feeding links or out-of-order sequences will be flagged instantly by the validation engine.
Select an organism from Trophic Level 1 to begin building a food chain.
Click and drag an arrow directly from a Source (Food/Energy) organism to a Target (Consumer) organism. The vector displays in Green if the trophic transfer link is valid, or flashes Red with an ecological error report if invalid.
Click on a food source and drag the pointer to the organism that eats it.
Compute biomass transfer efficiencies across trophic levels and evaluate metabolic energy losses using official standard quantitative formulas.
$$\text{Efficiency (\%)} = \left( \frac{\text{Biomass Transferred to Next Level}}{\text{Biomass Available at Previous Level}} \right) \times 100$$
Efficiency: 6.00%
On average, approximately 90% of biomass is lost at each trophic stage. The biomass is dissipated through four key biological pathways:
Complete the examination questions below to test your understanding of ecosystem interdependence, feeding pathways, and energetic transfers.