There are two types of food chains: grazing food chain and detritus food chain. Detritus food chains are those which start from the dead bodies of animals or fallen leaves etc. In terrestrial ecosystems, detritus food chain is the major conduit of energy flow, while in aquatic ecosystems, grazing food chain is the major conduit of energy flow. As the detritus food chains depend upon the dead organic matter hence, these are not directly dependent upon solar energy.