A food web of a freshwater ecosystem consists of 3 producers, 2 primary consumers, 2 secondary consumers and 1 tertiary consumer. How many trophic levels are present in this food web?

Step-by-step solution

1. Identify the producers as the first trophic level.
2. The primary consumers feed on the producers, so they form the second trophic level.
3. The secondary consumers feed on the primary consumers, giving a third trophic level.
4. The tertiary consumer feeds on the secondary consumers, giving a fourth trophic level.
5. Hence the food web has 4 trophic levels.

Concept tested: Trophic levels in a food web

Published 19 September 2026 · How this solution was prepared and checked