Food Web Labeling: Understanding Organisms in Ecosystems

What are the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers within an ecosystem?

Based on the provided food web, which organisms fall under each category?

Roles of Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers:

Producers are typically plants or photosynthetic organisms that create their own food through processes like photosynthesis. Consumers are organisms that cannot make their own food and must acquire nutrients from other organisms. Decomposers break down dead and decaying matter, returning nutrients to the environment.

Explanation:

Within the food web provided:

1. Pillbugs serve as decomposers, breaking down organic material.
2. Alligator Lizard and Cooper's Hawk are consumers, consuming other organisms.
3. Maple Tree Leaves act as producers, creating food through photosynthesis.

Therefore, the accurate labels for the organisms in the food web are:

1. Pillbugs (Decomposers)

3. Alligator Lizard (Consumer)

4. Cooper's Hawk (Consumer)

6. Maple Tree Leaves (Producer)

The correct answer is a. 1, 3, 4, 6.