trophic-cascade
/ˈtrɒf.ɪk ˈkæs.keɪd/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A trophic cascade is a chain reaction in a food web. When one species changes, it affects other plants and animals across several levels. It is often used in ecology.
- Removing wolves caused a trophic cascade.
- The lake showed a trophic cascade after fish were removed.
- Scientists studied the trophic cascade carefully.
Adinary Nuance
A trophic cascade is more specific than a general ripple effect or chain reaction. It always refers to changes moving through a food web, usually between predators, prey, and plants. Writers use it in ecology, not for ordinary business or social changes. It sounds scientific and precise, so it is not a casual phrase.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chuỗi tác động sinh thái
- Spanish
- cascada trófica
- Chinese
- 营养级联
- Japanese
- 栄養段階の連鎖
- Korean
- 영양 단계 연쇄
Etymology
The word combines Greek trophē, meaning “food” or “nourishment,” and cascade, from French and Italian roots meaning “waterfall.” It became common in ecology in the late 20th century.
Common phrases
cause a trophic cascadetrigger a trophic cascadeevidence of a trophic cascadetop-down trophic cascade
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is trophic cascade a common everyday phrase?
- No. It is mainly used in ecology, biology, and academic writing.
- What is the difference between trophic cascade and chain reaction?
- A chain reaction can happen anywhere. A trophic cascade happens only in a food web.
- Can I use trophic cascade in business writing?
- Usually no. It sounds scientific and is best for environmental topics.
- How do I use trophic cascade in a sentence?
- Use it like this: “The loss of predators caused a trophic cascade.”