Biology Ecosystems
Ecosystems are made up of biotic (living), and abiotic (nonliving) things. All mostly all ecosystems are self-sufficient. Cycles take place to ensure that all nutrients are recycled and reused. There are two types of organisms that are living in ecosystems. They are producers and consumers. Producers (grass, shrubs, trees, etc.) grow when soil and sunlight conditions are just right. The producers produce their own food through photosynthesis and absorption of nutrients in the soil. Therefore, they are at the base of the food chain/food web. Producers are then either eaten by consumers (animals, etc.) or die and are broken down to their basic nutrients by decomposers (fungi, bacteria, etc.). Decomposers can enter the food chain at any level.