Multiple choice

In terrestrial ecosystems, roughly 90% of the net primary production ends up being broken down by ________.

  1. producers

  2. primary consumers

  3. secondary consumers

  4. primary carnivores

  5. decomposers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Decomposers are heterotrophic organisms, mainlyfungi and bacteria. They meet their energy and nutrient requirements by degrading dead organic matter or detritus. Decomposers secrete digestive enzymes that breakdown dead and waste materials into simple, inorganic materials, which are subsequently absorbed by them. In terrestrial ecosystems roughly 90% of the net primary production ends up being broken down by them.

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