A semiarid ecosystem is dominated by a mixture of shortgrass prairies and chaparral.Prairie primary producers include grasses and other herbaceous flowering plants (forbs).The chaparral is dominated by shrubs, including mesquite and yucca intermixed with grasses and forbs.Herbivores (jackrabbits and cottontails) in turn are eaten by "mesopredators," including badgers, bobcats, skunks, and gray foxes.The top-level predator is the coyote.How many trophic levels are described in this ecosystem?
A) Five
B) Four
C) Three
D) Two
E) One

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ecosystem described has four trophic levels - primary producers (grasses and forbs), herbivores (jackrabbits and cottontails), mesopredators (badgers, bobcats, skunks, and gray foxes), and the top-level predator (coyote).

A Semiarid Ecosystem Is Dominated by a Mixture of Shortgrass