Decomposer: An organism which gains energy by breaking down the final remains of living things. Predominantly bacteria and fungi, decomposers are important in freeing the last of minerals and nutrients from organics and recycling them back into the food web. See also decomposition; compare detrivore.

 

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Decomposer: An organism which gains energy by breaking down the final remains of living things. Predominantly bacteria and fungi, decomposers are important in freeing the last of minerals and nutrients . . . View Full Definition

Food Chain: The simplest representation of energy fiow in a community. At the base is energy stored in plants, which are eaten by small organisms, which in turn are eaten by progressively larger organis . . . View Full Definition

Detrivore: An organism that feeds on large bits of dead and decaying organic matter. What detrivores leave behind is used by decomposers. Crabs and seabirds are examples of detrivores. Compare decompos . . . View Full Definition

Decomposition: The biochemical process where biological materials are broken down into smaller particles and eventually into basic chemical compounds and elements. See also decomposer.

Net Secondary Productivity (NSP): The rate at which consumer and decomposer biomass is produced in a community.