Did you know?
Did you know that an ecosystem is a community of organisms that live together and interact with their environment? This dynamic system includes various roles, such as predators that hunt and consume other animals (a), decomposers that break down dead organic matter (b), and consumers that obtain energy by feeding on other organisms (c). Additionally, some animals are omnivores (d), which means they eat both plants and animals, while others are herbivores (k) that solely consume plants. Animals that eat herbivores are known as primary consumers (e) and those that feed on primary consumers are called secondary consumers (f). If there is a predator higher up in the food chain that preys on secondary consumers, it is known as a tertiary consumer (j) or a secondary predator (g). As for plants, they play a crucial role as producers (o) through a process called photosynthesis (h), which converts sunlight into energy. These various organisms and their interactions are all interconnected through a complex network called a food web (l). However, sometimes non-native species can be introduced into an ecosystem, known as invasive species (p), which can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and harm the native species. Understanding these concepts is important for comprehending the intricate relationships within ecosystems.
