Question
Examine the photo below of a very basic food web. In 2-3 sentences, describe what would happen to this ecosystem if the organisms indicated by the circle and arrow did not exist.
Grass (Producer)-->Grasshopper (Primary Consumer)-->Frog (Secondary Consumer)-->Snake (Tertiary Consumer)-->Hawk (Final Consumer)-->Fungi (Decomposer)
Fungi are circled with an arrow pointing to them
Grading Considerations:
Your answer should include the name of the group of organisms circled and what their job/role is in a food web
Your answer should include an explanation of the effects it would have on the ecosystem if those organisms did not exist. In other words, why are they so important?
Your answer should be in 2-3 sentences. Answers longer than 4 sentences will not be considered. Answering concisely and to the point is evidence for your understanding of the topic.
(2 points)
Grass (Producer)-->Grasshopper (Primary Consumer)-->Frog (Secondary Consumer)-->Snake (Tertiary Consumer)-->Hawk (Final Consumer)-->Fungi (Decomposer)
Fungi are circled with an arrow pointing to them
Grading Considerations:
Your answer should include the name of the group of organisms circled and what their job/role is in a food web
Your answer should include an explanation of the effects it would have on the ecosystem if those organisms did not exist. In other words, why are they so important?
Your answer should be in 2-3 sentences. Answers longer than 4 sentences will not be considered. Answering concisely and to the point is evidence for your understanding of the topic.
(2 points)
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The circled group of organisms are fungi, which act as decomposers in the food web. If fungi did not exist, dead organic matter would accumulate, leading to a decrease in nutrient cycling and soil fertility. This disruption would negatively impact plant growth, ultimately affecting all levels of the food web, from producers to consumers, and could destabilize the entire ecosystem.