Detritivores
Feed on detritus particles, often chewing or grinding them into smaller pieces. Commonly digest decomposers that live on, and in, detritus particles. (Mites, snails, shrimp, crabs)
Autotrophs
Organisms that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and convert it into forms that living cells can use.
Primary Producers
Autotrophs are also able to store energy in forms that make it available to other organisms that eat them.
Photosynthesis
Captures light energy and uses it to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches.
Chemosynthesis
Where chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates. Some chemosynthetic bacteria live in harsh environments, such as deep-sea volcanic vents or hot springs.
Heterotrophs
Animals, fungi, and many bacteria cannot directly harness energy from the environment as primary producers do. These organism must acquire energy from other organisms- by ingesting them.
Consumers
Heterotrophs
Carnivores
Kill and eat other animals. Carnivores include snakes, dogs, cats, and this giant river otter. Catching and killing prey can be difficult and requires energy, but meat is generally rich in nutrients and energy and is easy to digest.
Herbivores
Obtain energy and nutrients by eating plant leaves, roots, seeds, or fruits. (cows, caterpillars, and deer)
Scavengers
Animals that consume the carcasses of other animals that have been killed by predators or have died of other causes.
Decomposers
Feed" by chemically breaking down organic matter. The decay caused by decomposes is part of the process that produces small pieces of dead and decaying plant and animal remains.
Omnivores
Diets naturally include a variety of different foods that usually include both plants and animals. (Humans, bears, pigs, white-nosed coati)