No one likes to be left out, and nearly all of the Energy Pyramids leave out one of the most important organisms...the decomposers. Decomposers are essential for a stable ecosystem. They are the organisms that love "dead" things and animal waste. Just think how the Earth would look if animals died, but never decomposed. EW! As decomposers eat or consume the nutrients from something that has "passed on" to that happy place beyond, they recycle the nutrients back into the soil and the producers are able to use these nutrients to keep growing. Let's look at some examples of decomposers The best of the best decomposers are fungi (mushrooms) and bacteria. Did you know that you have bacteria on your body right now that is just waiting for you to die? As soon as your body processes shut down, they go to work instantly! A tree log that is laying in the forest will always have some kind of fungus growing on it if it is in a moist, warm place. Fungus can grow pretty fast and cover a large area in a very short time. It goes about eating and eating the decaying material all over the ground. Other decomposers are worms, pill bugs, snails and slugs. There are many, many jobs in an ecosystem. There can't be any laziness or the ecosystem will go out of balance. If worms, pill bugs, dung beetles and other decomposers were taken out of the ecosystem, it could take up to 1800 years for that single ecosystem to regain its balance. Watch some of these plants decomposing. Very satisfying! The energy pyramid shows animals eating plants, animals eating other animals and animals eating animal eating plants....among all the feasting, don't forget. The decomposers are the best at consuming the leftovers and making the ecosystem healthy once again.
11 Comments
Errol
5/3/2018 03:15:52 pm
I like it when I go to Oregon, when you go to the forests they all kinds of fungi and moss......it is fun to look at!
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Sammy
5/3/2018 03:29:36 pm
Errol that’s really cool!!
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Sammy
5/3/2018 03:28:56 pm
Hi, good job on the blog Mrs.Taylor!!! I like the pictures.
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Sophia
5/3/2018 03:30:29 pm
Hi everyone, Errol how is looking at miss fun???? But that is also kinda cool
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Sadie
5/3/2018 04:55:45 pm
I think that is super cool Errol!!! Good job on the blog!!!
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MaryGrace/Fred
5/3/2018 05:19:35 pm
This is really cool Mrs. Taylor!!! I kind of want to try out the first GIF. Letting the vegetables decompose and then grow again!!!
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Harmony
5/4/2018 05:36:37 am
Wow it was pretty cool how the fruits and vegetables decomposed and then it grew
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Errol
5/4/2018 07:39:35 am
I like it when i get to be in really moist forests so when I go to my cousins house in Oregon I think that walking through the forest without knowing where your going is fun.
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grace
5/4/2018 07:42:35 am
awesome. i love the blog mrs taylor.
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Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |