Question

What organisms are the producers, first order consumers, second order consumers, and third order consumers in an ecosystem?

Answer 1

Producers are generally plants, first order consumers consume producers, second order consumers eat first order consumers, and third order consumers eat second order consumers.

Explanation:

This is all a part of the food chain! Think of a tree, which is a producer. The tree produces acorns that a number of organisms can feed on, such as a squirrel. The squirrel is a first order consumer, because it will consume the acorns to derive energy. However, our squirrel has an unfortunate run-in with a snake, who then eats it - this makes the snake a second order consumer, because it is deriving energy from a first order consumer. Lastly, a hawk swoops in and then eats the snake - the hawk has derived energy from a second order consumer, therefore making it a third order consumer.