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.
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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 |