Human Trophic Level

Each step in a food chain is a “trophic level” because of the energy transfer between them which can be shown in energy pyramids. All of the energy that passes on originally comes from the sun before moving through the order of the trophic levels, which is from producers to primary consumers to secondary consumers, then eventually to tertiary consumers. Although, as one lifeform eats another for energy, only 10% transfers to the next level because that 90% is used to “carry out the functions of living, such as producing new cells, regulating body temperature, and moving,” or for other necessary tasks. These transfers through eating are important since they help maintain ecosystems like the Everglades Hardwood Hammock. (Arms,

Nierenberg, D. (2006). Eat vegetable, save energy. World watch. Academic search premier database. Page 17-21.

Meals with more fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of several different cancers among many other diseases. Vegetarians generally have lower body weight than those who eat a significant amount of meat.

What am I exactly eating? Where does our food come from? Why should I care? “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” may forever change the way you think about food. I enjoyed Mr. Pollan’s book, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and learned a great deal of information. Pollan’s book is a plea for us to stop and think for a moment about our whole process of eating. Pollan sets out to corn fields and natural farms, goes hunting and foraging, all in the name of coming to terms with where food really comes from in modern America and what the ramifications are for the eaters, the eaten, the economy and the environment. The results are far more than I expected them to be.

We can try to reduce the amount of the unhealthy food that we eat everyday such as fast food. And by eating healthy food such as vegetables and fruits. Some studies have talked about the importance of eating fruits in a daily term and how it protects from specific kinds of diseases. For example, eating one or two apples everyday can protect us from some kinds of cancers. Also it can be good idea if we decide to buy our food, or most of it, from the organic farmers. Even though we will pay more money because it is more expensive than the artificially grown food, we will be saving more money that can be spent in medication to restore our health from the possible diseases we might get if we continue eating this kind of

Vegetarianism has been around since as early as the seventh century B.C.E.. The civilization was the Indus Valley Civilization, they practiced tolerance towards all living things. Several Indian cultures and various religions (such as a ahimsā) also practice non-violence towards animals (“Vegetarianism”, Wikipedia.com). This used to be the sole purpose for being vegetarian, but nowadays people are becoming vegetarian for several more reasons. The ethical aspect is still a big reason in the decision. Health benefits and environmental aspects have now also become big reasons for the controversy over vegetarianism. People say that killing animals for food is not morally wrong and, is in fact, a crucial part of our lives. Another aspect is that, while in some ways vegetarianism is beneficial to the environment, it can also hurts the environment. Also, despite all of the health benefits involved with vegetarianism, there are also several health concerns connected with it.

Going vegetarian can help preserve the limited land and water system that us humans take for granted sometimes. Factory farming along with free range farming are destroying the earth and its biodiversity. When people think of pollution like unnecessary CO2 emissions and deforestation of rainforests, they do not think about the animals being raised for consumption. In an article, “Concentrated animal Agriculture Is The Biggest

First, becoming a vegetarian would prevent air pollution. Millions of cows are raised to be eaten, and those cows breathe, burp, and fart producing tons of methane. Methane is one of the worst greenhouse gasses which directly causes global warming. So by becoming a vegetarian, a person would be eliminating a lot of air pollution.

There are many reasons why people become vegetarians, but is it really as healthy as it seems. Can simply eating veggies supply you with all the vitamins and proteins your body needs to survive. An estimated 6-8 million people do not eat meat, poultry, or fish. Harris Interactive poll commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, July 2009).Having your diet mainly consist of fruits and vegetables allows you to consume less saturated fats and cholesterol. Also since you be consuming more plants you will be taking in mote vitamins like vitamins C and E, More fiber, potassium and magnesium. Resulting in a stronger immune system, as well as, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. “Traditionally, vegetarianism focused mainly on potential nutritional deficiencies, but in recent years, the pendulum has swung the other way, and studies are confirming the health benefits of meat-free eating. Nowadays, plant-based eating is recognized as not only nutritionally sufficient but also as a way to reduce the risk for many chronic illnesses”.

For me, my biggest benefit has been my energy and weight loss. Since becoming vegetarian, I have lost twenty pounds and I do not feel out of breath from walking up a couple flights of stairs. There is a large portion of research based on the effects that meatless diets have on our bodies. In her book, The Vegetable Passion, Jan Yager mentions some of the main benefits. She elaborates on how plants provide vital nutrients, fibers, and vitamins needed in our daily diet. She also discusses how our bodies’ need for protein. Without these proteins, it would be impossible for our bodies to create new tissues, or even function normally. She goes on to talk about the misconception that the only source of protein is meat. Spinach, nuts, and, most cereals give almost as much protein per serving as a serving of meat (Barkas 168). And what most people do not know, a lot of tofu contains protein and if I know vegetarians, we all love

Being vegan or vegetarian can actually have you live longer. One reason why being vegan is better is because most of the time you are more health caucus. For example most people when they are vegan will not smoke because they're concerned it is a health issue. Another thing most people will exercise being more health cautious. After all being vegan or vegetarian can be a good thing after

The living and nonliving components of this ecosystem are either biotic; which includes factors such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Then you have abiotic components such as air, temperature, sunlight, wind, water and soil. Both abiotic and biotic components are necessary for balance in this ecosystem and rely on each other in the food chain of producers and consumers. Producers are at the beginning in the food chain, also known as biotic components, which rely on an abiotic such as the sun to produce their food during photosynthesis. Then there are the consumers (biotics) that rely on the producers as their primary food source, such as herbivores. Predatory omnivores are considered secondary consumers because they eat primary

The food chain is what animals eat and the cycle of what eats what. And the food cycle is in the carnivore starts at the toad eats the beetles and worms. Then the bobcat eats the elk,roe,deer. Then the short-eared owl eats rodents. But the wolf comes in and eats the przewalski's, horses,elk,moose. Then to the lynx which also eats roe,deer,rodents,and birds. Next is the omnivore cycle it starts at the stag beetles and they eat leaves,fruit,flower,and smaller bugs,and dying wood.

There are supporters of vegetarianism who theorize the idea that choosing not to eat meat will have a positive effect on starvation in the world. Tons of grain that could be used to feed these people instead goes to animals who end up feeding us. A decrease in demand for meat means an increase in the supply of grains, which could be sold to countries who need it. This theory makes perfect sense - on a large scale. It is obvious that a person alone shifting to the vegetarianism lifestyle will not have a dramatic effect on the supply of grain. The idea could become realistic if enough people ate less or no meat. As the author of “Can Vegetarianism Help Solve World Hunger?” explained it, “... the global price of grain would drop, and foreign markets

A trophic level is the feeding position in the food chain that each organism is at. The producers are the first trophic level in the food chain and the most important part, they are the plants (e.g. corn) that get eaten by the primary consumers (e.g. locust). Then the primary consumer gets eaten by the secondary consumer (e.g. lizard), finally from there the secondary consumer gets eaten by the tertiary consumer (e.g. snake). See figure 1 for visual). To have a sustainable ecosystem the food chain is an essential member of the system.