FASCINATING WORLD OF TROPHIC INTERACTIONS – WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO STUDY IT [FASCINUJÍCÍ SVĚT POTRAVNÍCH VAZEB ANEB PROČ JE DŮLEŽITÉ JE STUDOVAT]

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to give a comprehensive overview of the fascinating world of food webs, where plants play a key role. To highlight the importance of studying this area, understanding the issues involved, and applying the knowledge gained with respect for nature to agroecosystems including important permanent crops including orchards. Plants produce chemicals called secondary metabolites that play an indispensable role in their interactions with their environment. Plants use these substances to attract pollinators, defend themselves against herbivorous arthropods, attract predators or parasitoids of herbivores and communicate with each other. Recognizing these "SMALL" interactions can have BIG implications useful in the fields of ecology, medicine, and agriculture.

Keywords

• trophic links
• plant-insect interactions
• herbivores
• chemical defense
• plant defense