Problem
This question focuses on food web dynamics. Prepare a short essay that describes the ecological niche of a primary producer in a temperate forest community and that primary producer's associated food web. Be sure to use and define relevant course terminology in your answer. In your short essay, you must address the following:
A. CONSTRUCT a temperate forest food web with four trophic levels, from primary producer to top (apex) predator. DEFINE each of the four levels in this food web and DESCRIBE how each trophic level relates to neighboring trophic levels. Provide an EXAMPLE of an organism for each trophic level in your food web.
B. DEFINE what an ecological niche is.
C. DESCRIBE both biotic (biological) and abiotic (physical) factors that define the niche of your example primary producer. INCLUDE how those factors interact with your primary producer.
D. Your primary producer has a realized niche that is smaller than its fundamental niche. EXPLAIN how this could be, while also DEFINING the difference between a fundamental niche and a realized niche.