Ecology: Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers

Study Notes

Producers

Green plants are the primary source of energy in an ecosystem
They produce their own food through photosynthesis, using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide
Plants capture energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis
Examples of producers include plants, trees, and algae

Consumers

Consumers are organisms that do not produce their own food
They obtain energy by consuming other organisms or plants
Herbivores are primary consumers that eat plants, examples include cows, deer, and rabbits
Carnivores are secondary consumers that eat herbivores, examples include lions, tigers, and bears
Omnivores are consumers that eat both plants and animals, examples include humans, pigs, and chimpanzees
Decomposers are not considered consumers because they break down dead organic matter

Decomposers

Decomposers are organisms that break down dead plant and animal material
They help to replenish the soil with important nutrients by breaking down organic matter into simple substances
Examples of decomposers include bacteria, earthworms, fungi, and insects
Decomposers can be microscopic (such as bacteria) or macroscopic (such as earthworms)
They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and returning them to the soil and atmosphere

Description

Understand the feeding relationships between producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem. Learn how green plants produce their own food through photosynthesis and how they support the food chain.