Below is a food web from an ocean ecosystem in Monterey Bay, off the coast of California.

Which two of the following organisms are decomposers in this food web?
zooplankton
sea cucumber
kelpbass
kelp
bat star

1 answer

In the food web of an ocean ecosystem, decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic material and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. Among the options provided, the sea cucumber and the bat star serve as decomposers.

  • Sea cucumbers are known to scavenge on detritus and help break down organic material on the ocean floor.
  • Bat stars also feed on decomposing matter and can help in the recycling of nutrients.

The other options (zooplankton, kelpbass, and kelp) do not primarily function as decomposers.