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. 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.

decomposers are circles

Answer 1

If decomposers, indicated by the circle, did not exist in the ecosystem, the breakdown of dead organic matter would be severely hampered. This would lead to the accumulation of waste and dead organisms, resulting in nutrient depletion in the soil and disrupting the flow of energy in the food web. Consequently, producers would struggle to grow, adversely affecting herbivores and, subsequently, the entire food chain.