shorten this: Producers use photosynthesis to create food from water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Consumers then consume this food, passing water, carbon, and nitrogen through the food chain. Both producers and consumers release water and carbon into the environment, while decomposers break down dead material to release nitrogen, water, and carbon back into the environment. Nitrogen is returned to the soil for plants to absorb, while water and carbon enter the water cycle and atmosphere. Carbon dioxide can be reabsorbed by producers or enter the slow carbon cycle in the ocean. Fossil fuels store carbon that is released into the atmosphere when burned by humans.
Producers create food through photosynthesis using water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Consumers eat the food, passing nutrients through the food chain. Both producers and consumers release water and carbon into the environment. Decomposers break down dead material to release nitrogen, water, and carbon. Nitrogen returns to the soil for plants, while water and carbon enter the water cycle and atmosphere. Carbon dioxide can be reabsorbed by producers or enter the slow carbon cycle in the ocean. Fossil fuels store carbon released into the atmosphere by humans.
