Figure 36. Possible differences in energy 

 flow through grazer-based and detritivore- 

 based food chains. Where plant material 

 must first be decomposed, a smaller 

 proportion of the plant productivity 

 is channeled to top carnivores. 



Algal 



productivity 



can go 



directly to 



grazing 



animals. 



Vascular plants 

 often require 

 decomposition 

 before being 

 palatable to 

 animals. 



This extra step 

 may reduce the 

 amount of energy 

 available to the 

 next trophic 

 level by 10%. 



JMO 



53 



