What trophic level do elk belong?

Elk belong to the primary consumer trophic level. They are herbivores that primarily feed on grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation, which places them as the second level in the food chain, above producers (plants) and below secondary consumers (carnivores and omnivores). As primary consumers, elk play a crucial role in their ecosystems by influencing plant community dynamics and serving as prey for larger predators.