3.2.1.2: Trophic Interactions

BIOL 101- Environmental Science · LibreTexts

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    Trophic interactions occur when one organism feeds on another. The three main types of trophic interactions are predation (figure \(\PageIndex{a}\)), herbivory, or parasitism. During these interactions, one species benefits by gaining food at the expense of the other, which either dies or loses nutrients, tissues, or organs (such as leaves). Trophic interactions involve the flow of energy, and the trophic interactions in a community can be represented by food chains and food webs.

    A close-up view of a hawk with a dead vole in its beak
    Figure \(\PageIndex{a}\): A hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) eats a vole (Microtus californicus), exemplifying predation, a common trophic interaction. Image by Jrockley(opens in new window) (public domain).

     

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    Melissa Ha (CC-BY-NC(opens in new window))

    This page titled 3.2.1.2: Trophic Interactions was last modified on Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:01:21 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Melissa Ha and Rachel Schleiger (ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative) .