Ecology - Ecosystem

Definition
Ecology is the study of interactions among
organism or group of organisms with their
environment. The environment consists of both biotic
components (living organisms) and abiotic components
(non – living organisms).
Ecology is study of interactions between

Non-living components in the environment…

Light
Water
Wind
Nutrients in soil
Heat
Solar radiation
Atmosphere, etc.
AND…
Living organisms…
Plants
Animals
Microorganisms in soil, etc.
 Ecosystem
There are many examples
of ecosystems - a pond, a
desert, a forest, an
estuary, an ocean.
Ecosystem is the basic functional unit of Ecology.

Definition
A group of organisms interacting among themselves
and with environment is known as ecosystem. Thus an
ecosystem is a community of different species interacting
with one another and with their non living environment
exchanging energy and matter.
Ecology is the study of ecosystems.
Example
Animals cannot synthesis their food directly but depend
on the plants either directly or indirectly.
 STRUCTURE OF AN ECOSYSTEM
The term structure refers to the various components of
an ecosystem.
An ecosystem has two major components
• Biotic (living) components
• Abiotic (non living) components

Biotic components
The living organisms (or) living members in an ecosystem
collectively called biotic components (or) biotic community.
Ex: Plants, Animals, Microorganisms
 Classification biotic components
• Producer (Plants)
• Consumer ( Animals)
• Decomposers or reducers (Micro-organisms)
1.Producers ( Autotrophs)
Producers synthesise their food themselves through
photosynthesis
Ex: All green plants, trees.
Photosynthesis
The green pigment called chlorophyll, present in the
leaves of plants, converts CO2 and H2O in the presence
of sunlight into carbohydrates.
6CO2 + 6H2O ----> C6H12O6 + 6O2
This process is called photosynthesis
 Carbon dioxide
solar

The sugar molecule is

formed and the
Oxygen molecul
chlorophyll is
ready to cook again_

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2. Consumers also called as
Heterotrophs: Classification of
consumers
Consumers are further classified as
(i) Primary consumers or Herbivores or Plant eaters:
Examples : Insects, rat, goat, deer, cow etc.
(ii) Secondary consumers (primary carnivores)
(Meat eaters):
Secondary consumers are primary carnivores, they feed
on primary consumers. They directly depend on the
herbivores for their food.
Ex: Frog, cat, snakes, small birds, etc.,

(iii) Tertiary consumers (Secondary carnivores)

(Meat- eaters)
Tertiary consumers are secondary carnivores, they feed
on secondary consumers. They depend on the primary
carnivores for their food.
Ex: Hawk, Eagle, Tiger, Lion,
OAK TREE LEAVES C'ATERPllAR TREECR HAWK
EPER

Producers Primary Secondary consumers Tertiary

consumers consumers
Omnivore: Organisms that feed both on plants
and animals. Ex: Human, rat, birds.

Detritivore: They feed on dead organisms, wastes

of living beings and partially decomposed
matter. Ex: Termites, earthworm, ants etc.
3. Decomposers

Decomposers attack the dead bodies of producers and

consumers, and decompose them into simpler compounds.
During the decomposition inorganic nutrients are
released.
The inorganic nutrients together with other organic
substances are then utilized by the producers for the
synthesis of their own food.
 Abiotic (non-living) components
The non-living components (physical and chemical) of
ecosystem collectively form a community called abiotic
components (or) abiotic community.
Ex: Climate, soil, water, air, energy etc.,

1. Physical components: Include the energy, climate,

nutrients and living space that the biological community
needs. They are useful for the growth and maintenance of
its member.
Ex: Air, water, soil, sunlight, etc.,
2. Chemical Components: They are the sources of
essential nutrients.
• Organic substances : Protein, lipids, carbohydrates, etc.,
• Inorganic substances: All micro ( Al, Co, Zu, Cu) and
macro elements (C,H, O, P, N, P, K) and few other
elements.
 TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM
Natural ecosystem: These operate themselves under natural
conditions. Based on habitat types, it can be further classified
into three types.
Terrestrial ecosystem: This ecosystem is related to land.
Ex: Grassland ecosystem, forest ecosystem, desert ecosystem,

Aquatic ecosystem: This ecosystem is related to water. It is

further sub classified into two types based on salt content.
• Fresh water ecosystem
(a) Running water ecosystems. Ex: Rivers, Streams…
(b) Standing water ecosystems Ex: Pond, lake…
• Marine ecosystem Ex: Seas and sea shores…
3. Man – made (or) Artificial ecosystems: Artificial
ecosystem is operated (or) maintained by man himself.
Ex: Croplands,
Gr sshoppe·.·
 Tropic Levels (T1,T2, T3, T4, T5) (or) Feeding levels
The various steps through which food energy
passes in an ecosystem is called as tropic levels.
The tropic levels are arranged in the following way,
• The green plants or producers represent first tropic
level T1,
• The herbivores or primary consumers represent second
tropic level T2.
• The carnivores or secondary consumers represent third
tropic level T3.
• The tertiary consumers are fourth tropic level T4.
• Finally decomposers represent last tropic level T5.
N
 Food chains are classified into two main types
Grazing food chain
Detritus food chain

• Grazing food chain: Found in Grassland ecosystems and pond

ecosystems. Grazing food chain starts with green plants
(primary producers) and goes to decomposer food chain or
detritus food chain through herbivores and carnivores.

• Detritus food chain: Found in Grassland ecosystems and

forest ecosystems. Detritus food chain starts with dead
organic matter (plants and animals) and goes to decomposer
food chain through herbivores and carnivores.
The following diagram shows that grazing food chain and
detritus food chain are interconnected to each other but are
not isolated.
 FOOD WEB
• The interlocking pattern of various food chains in an
ecosystem is known as food web.
• In a food web many food chains are interconnected,
where different types of organisms are connected at
different tropic levels, so that there are a number of
opportunities of eating and being eaten at each tropic
level.
• Grass may be eaten by insects, rats, deer's, etc., these may
be eaten by carnivores (snake, fox, tiger). Thus there is a
interlocking of various food chains called food webs
Food web ecosystem
 Prawn

Algae
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Kingfish er

Dragonfly
Frog

Wat,srweed

Tunle Snake

Tro,phic Lev,el: 1 (Producers) 2 (1°Consumers) 3 (2 Consumers) ,4 (3,;, Consumers) s (4° Consumers)

Difference between food chains and food web:
In a linear food chain if one species gets affected (or)
becomes extinct, then the species in the subsequent
tropic levels are also affected. But, in a food web, if one
species gets affected, it doest not affect other tropic
levels so seriously. There are number of options
available at each tropic level.
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 Significance of food chains and food webs
• Food chains and food webs play a very important role in
the ecosystem. Energy flow and nutrient cycling takes
place through them.
• They maintain and regulate the population size of
different tropic levels, and thus help in
maintaining ecological balance.
• They have the property of bio-magnification. The non –
biodegradable materials keep on passing from one tropic
level to another. At each successive tropic level, the
concentration keep on increasing. This process is known
as bio-magnification.
 ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS

• “Graphical representation of structure and function

of tropic levels of an ecosystem, starting with
producers at the bottom and successive tropic levels
forming the apex is known as an ecological
pyramid.”

• In food chain starting from the producers to the

consumers, there is a regular decrease in the biomass
and number of the organisms.
• Since energy is lost as heat in each tropic levels, it
becomes progressively smaller near the top.
 Types of Ecological pyramids
• Pyramid of numbers.
• Pyramid of energy.
• Pyramid of biomass.
A. pyra:mi,d of nu:mbers an be use,d to show----
·-
the number of or·ga·n Qf each stage of a
food chaii1n.
S umbers of
lar · ganisms

30 Rabbits

100,000 blades of grass

Large num.bers of
small organiisms
 It represents the number of individual organisms present
in each tropic levels.
Ex: A grassland Ecosystem
• The producers in the grasslands are grasses, which are in
size and large in numbers. So the producers occupy lower
tropic level (1St tropic level).
• The primary consumers (herbivores) are rats, the 2nd
tropic level. Since the number of rats are lower Compared
to the grasses, the size is small.
• The secondary consumers (carnivores) are snakes, which
occupy the 3rd tropic level. Since the number of snakes are
lower when compared to the rats.
• The tertiary consumers (carnivores) are eagles, which the
next tropic level. The number and size of the last level is till
smaller.
Upright Pyramid
A pyramid of biomass is a
graphical representation of
biomass present in a unit area
of various trophic levels. It
shows the relationship
between biomass and trophic
level quantifying the biomass
available in each trophic level.
Pyramid of biomass .. upright or inverted

H- Jvor s

P aduc: rs

roducs
 Pyramid of Biomass
• It represents the total amount of biomass (mass or weight
of biological material or organism) present in each tropic
levels. Ex: A forest ecosystem
• The above figure shows that there is a decrease in the
biomass from the lower tropic level to the higher tropic level.
This because the trees (producers) are maximum in the forest,
which contribute a huge biomass. The next tropic levels are
herbivores (rabbit, deer) and carnivores (snakes, fox). Top of
the tropic level contains few tertiary consumers (lion, tiger),
the biomass of which is very low.
Pyramid of Energy
• This pyramid indicates not only the amount of energy
flow at each level, but more importantly, the actual role
the various organisms play in the transfer of energy.
• An energy pyramid illustrates how much energy is
needed as it flows upwards to support the next trophic
level.
• Always there is a huge loss of energy.
 Trophic Levels

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 FOREST ECOSYSTEM

A forest is an area with a high density of trees. A forest

ecosystem is one in which tall trees grow that support many
animals and birds. The forests are found in undisturbed areas
receiving moderate to high rainfall. The forest occupies nearly
31% of the world’s land in India it is only 19% of total land
area.
Types of forest ecosystem
Based upon the climate conditions, forests are classified into
• Tropical Rain forests.
• Tropical deciduous forests.
• Tropical scrub forests.
• Temperate rain forests.
• Temperate deciduous forests.
 Characteristics of forest ecosystems
• Forests are characterised by warm temperature and
adequate rainfall, which make the generation of
number of ponds, lakes etc.,
• The forest maintains climate and rainfall.
• The forest support many wild animals and
protect biodiversity.
• The soil is rich in organic matter and nutrients
which support the growth of trees.
• Since penetration of light is so poor, the conversion
of organic matter into nutrients is very fast.
 Temperat,e ,De.c1iduo.us Forest Food ·Ch.a1in

Tert1iary Tertjary
Secondary·
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Structure and Function of forest ecosystem

I. Abiotic components
The abiotic components include basic inorganic & organic
compounds present in the soil & atmosphere. In addition
minerals, the occurrence of litter is characteristic features
of majority of forests.

II. Biotic components

1. Producers: In a forest, the producers are mainly trees
produce food by photosynthesis. Apart from trees, climbers,
epiphytes, shrubs and ground vegetation. Dominant species of
trees in forest are Dalbergia, Tectona grandis, Lichens, Fern,
Pine, Cedar.
2. Consumers
Primary consumers (herbivores): They directly depend on
the plants for their food.
Ex: Ants, flies, insects, mice, deer, squirrels. Larger animals
such as Elephants, Deer, Giraffe etc.
Secondary consumers (primary carnivores):They directly
depend on the herbivores for their food.
Ex: Lizards, snakes, birds, fox.
Tertiary consumers :They depend on the primary carnivores
for their food.
Ex: Animals like tiger, lion, etc.,
3. Decomposers
They decompose the dead plant and animal matter.
Ex: Bacteria and fungi.
 Pro,ducers .. Differenr tree .spec,es

Consume.rs in a Forest Ecosystem

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It provides numerous environmental services like;
Ø Nutrient cycling,
Ø Maintaining biodiversity
Ø Providing wildlife
habitat
Ø Affecting rainfall
patterns Ø Regulating
stream flow
Ø Storing water
Ø Reducing flooding
Ø Preventing soil erosion
Ø Reclaiming degraded land & many more….

Apart from environmental values, forest ecosystems have some

traditional values as well.
Ø Fire Wood &
Timber. Ø Fruits.
Ø Gums.
Ø Herbs & drugs.
solar
energy

Pr·rnary·
Consume.rs
(herbivores)
 GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
Grassland occupies about 20% of earth’s surface. In
addition to grass some trees and shrubs are/also
present in grasslands. Limited grazing helps to improve
the net primary production of the grasslands. But,
overgrazing leads degradation of these grasslands
resulting in desertification.
Types of grassland ecosystem
Depending upon the climate conditions grassland are
classified into three types
• Tropical grasslands
• Temperate grasslands
• Polar grasslands
Ecosystem ,v Tropical
 Features of different types of grassland
Tropical grasslands
They are found near the borders of tropical rain forests.
Characterised by high temperature and moderate
rainfall (40 to 100 cm). It is also known as Savanna
type. Tall grasses with scattered shrubs and stunted
trees and animals like zebras, giraffes, antelopes, etc.,
are observed here.
Temperate grasslands
They are usually found in the centres of
continents, highly sloped hills. They are
characterised by very cold winters and hot
summers: Intense grazing
and summer fires, do not support shrubs or trees
to grow.
 Polar grasslands
They are found in arctic polar regions. They are
characterised by severe cold and strong winds along
with ice and snow. In summers several small annual
plants grow. There are animals like arctic wolf, weasel,
arctic fox, etc.,

Characteristics of Grassland Ecosystems

• Grassland ecosystem is a plain land occupied by grasses.
• Soil is very rich in nutrients and organic matter.
• Since it has tall grass, it is ideal place for grazing animals.
• It is characterised by low or uneven rainfall.
 Grasshopper

◄
Grass

Mouse
Snake
Structure and function of the grassland Ecosystems
Abiotic components: Nutrients, H, 0, N, P, S, etc.,
These abiotic components are supplied by C02, H2O, C, Nitrate,
phosphates and sulphates.
Biotic Components
Producers: They produce food.
Ex: Grasses, Herbs and shrubs.
Consumers:.
Primary consumers (herbivores) :They depend on grasses for their
food Ex: Insects, cows, buffaloes, deer, sheep, etc.,
Secondary consumers (carnivores) :They feed on herbivores.
Examples: Lizards, birds, Snakes, jackals, fox, etc.,
Tertiary consumers: They feed on secondary consumers
Ex: Hawks, eagle, etc.,
Decomposers :They decompose the dead organic matter
Ex: Fungi and bacteria.
 P imary
Consumers
(her:birvo )

Secondary
P,rod'U'Cfl's Consumers
1(1run plants) (corn·voru)

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Importance:
• Grasslands are of vital importance for raising livestock
for human consumption and for milk and other dairy
products
• Grasslands provided home to many different animals
that were hunted and domesticated
• They are used as grazing area for cattle
• They Maintain Biodiversity
• Protects restored habitat for many plants and animals
including pheasant, ducks, songbirds and endangered
species
 DESERT ECOSYSTEMS
Introduction
Desert occupies about 14% of our world’s land area. It
is characterised by less than 25 cm rainfall. The
atmosphere is dry and hence it is a poor insulator .

Types of desert ecosystems

Based on the climatic conditions, deserts are classified
into three types.
• Tropical deserts.
• Temperate deserts.
• Cold deserts.
 Features of different types of deserts
Tropical desert is an environment of extremes, it is the
driest and hottest place on earth. Rainfall is sporadic and
in some years no measurable precipitation falls at all.
•
Africa: Sahara desert.
•
Rajasthan: Thar desert.

Temperate desert is a barren area of land where little

precipitation occurs (less than 10%), characterised by very
hot summer and very Winter time. Ex: Atacama, Mojave.

Cold deserts have hot summers but

extremely cold winters. These are found in high, flat
areas, called plateaus. Ex: Gobi desert, Ladakh.
Characteristics of Desert ecosystem
The desert air is dry and the climate is hot.
Annual rainfall is less than 25 cm. The soil is very
poor in nutrients and organic matter, Vegetation
is poor.

Structure and functions of the desert ecosystems

I. Abiotic Components
Intense solar radiation, lashing winds, and little moisture
i.e. less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rainfall. The
nutrient cycling is also very low. The characteristic
feature of the abiotic component is lack of organic
matter in the soil and scarcity of water.
 Quaternary,
t
tertiary,
and secondary
consumers
Tertiary
and
secondary
consumers

Secondary
and
primary
consumers

Primary
consumers

Producers
(plants)

Copyright© 2009 Peerrsorn Education. Inc_

Desert Ecosystem
II. Biotic Components
Producers: In deserts mostly Succulent (e.g., cacti) plants are
found available. They have water inside them to stay alive,
waxy coating to prevent intense heat, thorn on the outside to
protect them from being eaten.
Ex: Succulents, Shrubs, bushes, some grasses and few trees.

Consumers: These animals dig holes in the ground to live in.

They come out at night to find food. Most of the animals can
extract water from the seeds they eat.
Ex: Locust, scorpions, snakes, camel, elk etc.

Decomposers: Desert has poor vegetation with a very low

amount of dead organic mater. They are decomposed by few
fungi and bacteria.
Ex: Fungi and bacteria
 Desert F ood Web
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AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

The aquatic ecosystem deals with water bodies.

The major types of organisms found in aquatic
environments are determined by the water’s
salinity.
Types of aquatic life zone

Aquatic life zones are divided into two types.

1. Fresh water life zones
Eg. Ponds, streams, lakes, rivers.
2. Salt water life zones
Eg. Oceans, estuaries.
 FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEM POND ECOSYSTEMS
Introduction
A pond is a fresh water aquatic ecosystems, where water
is stagnant. It receives enough water during rainy
season. It contains several types of algae, aquatic
plants, insects, fishes and birds.

Characteristics of pond
•
Pond is temporary, only seasonal.
•
It is a stagnant fresh water body.
•
Ponds get polluted easily due to limited amount
of water.
•
Pond ecosystems are lentic ecosystems – i.e. they
involve stagnant or standing water.
 Structure and functions of pond ecosystems
Abiotic components
Ex: Temperature, light, water and organic and inorganic
compounds
Biotic Components
• Producers
These include green photosynthetic organism. They are of
two types.
• Phytoplankton: These are microscopic marine plants, which
freely float on the surface of water.
Ex: Floating plants like Nostoc, Anabena, Consmarium.
• Microphytes are microscopic algae
Ex: Floating plants and submerged plants like hydrilla,
Jussiaea, wolfia, demna.
Consumers
Primary consumers (Zooplanktons): These are microscopic
animals which freely float on the surface of water.
Zooplanktons are found along with phytoplankton. They feed
on plants (phytoplankton).
Ex: Protozoa, very small fish, ciliates, flagelaltes and
protozoans.
Secondary consumers (Carnivores):They feed on zooplankton
Ex: Insects like water beetles and small fish.
Tertiary consumers :They feed on smaller fish
Ex: Large fish like game fish.
Decomposers: They decompose the dead plant and animal
matter and their nutrients are released and reused by the
green plants.
Ex: Fungi, bacteria and flagellates
Importance of pond ecosystems.

1. Biodiversity: Pond ecosystems are very important habitats for

so many different types of fish, birds, plants and crustaceans as
well as insects such as dragonflies, damsel flies and pond
skaters.
2. Ubiquity: Pond ecosystems can be found on every continent on
the planet.
3. Abundance: Pond ecosystems are very abundant. Not only can
they be found almost everywhere, they can be found plentifully.
4. Source of hydration: A watering hole in a prairie or desert
many species of animals will come to pond. Humans can also use
these ecosystems as a source of water.
5. Beauty: Pond ecosystems are very beautiful as well.
LAKE ECOSYSTEM
Lakes are large natural shallow water bodies. Lakes are
used for various purposes. Lakes are supplied with water
from rainfall, melting snow and streams.
Types of lakes
Some important types of lake are
Oligotrophic lakes : They have low nutrient
concentrations Eutrophic lakes : They are overnourished
by nutrients like N and P
Dystrophic lakes : They have low pH, high humic and
content and brown waters.
Volcanic lakes : They receive water from magma after
volcanic eruption.
 Zones of Lake
Dependingupon their depth and distance from
the shore, likes consists of four distinct zones.

• Littoral zones: It is the top layer of the Lake. It has

a shallow water.
• Limnetic zone: Next to the littoral zone is limnetic
zone, where effect penetration of solar. light takes
place.
• Profundal zone: The deep open water, where it is too dark.
• Benthic zone: This zone is found, at the bottom of the lake.
 Li1.1oral
zone
Liimneti
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 Characteristics of lake ecosystem
• Lake is a shallow fresh water body;
• It is a permanent water body with large Water
resources.
• It helps in irrigation and drinking.
Structure and function of lake ecosystem
I. Abiotic components
Temperature, light, proteins and lipids, O2 CO2
II. Biotic Consumers
Producers: They are green plants, may. be submerged,
free floating ad amphibious plants.
Examples: Phytoplanktons, algae and flagellates.
 Consumers 1/
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 2. Consumers
Primary Consumers (Zooplanktons): They feed on
phytopankton
Ex: Ciliates, protozoans, etc.
Secondary consumers (carnivores) : They feed on
zooplankton. Ex Insects and small fishes.
Tertiary consumers: They feed on smaller fish
Ex: Large fishes like game fish.
Decomposers: They decompose the dead plants ad
animals Ex: Bacteria, fungi and aclinonrcetes.
 RIVER (or) STREAM ECOSYSTEM

Introduction
The running water of a stream or a river is usually well
oxygenated, because it absorb’s oxygen from the air.
The number of
animals are low in river or stream.

Characteristics of River or Stream.

It is a fresh water, and free flowing water systems.
Due to mixing of water, dissolved oxygen content is. more.
River deposits large amount of nutrients.
 Structure and function of River or Stream Ecosystem
Abiotic components
Examples : River, Light, Temperature, Chemistry, Substrate

Biotic Components
Producers: Phytoplankton, algae, water grasses, aquatic
masses other amphibious plants.
Consumers
1. Primary consumers: They feed on phytoplankton.
Ex : Water insects, snails, fishes:
2. Secondary consumers: They feed on primary consumers
Ex: Birds
Decomposers: They decomposes the dead animals and
plants. Ex :Bacteria and fungi.
 FRESHWATER RIVER
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PELAGIC PATHWAY BENTHIC PATHWAY

 SALT WATER ECOSYSTEMS. OCEAN (MARINE) ECOSYSTEMS

Introduction
Oceans cover more than two thirds of the earth’s surface. ocean
environment is characterised by its high concentration of salts and
minerals. It supplies huge variety of products and drugs. It also
provides us iron, magnesium, iron, natural gas.
Zones of Oceans
The oceans have two major life zones.
Coastal zone: It is relatively warm, nutrient rich shallow water. It has
high primary productivity because of high nutrients and sunlight.
Open sea: It is the deeper part of the ocean. It is vertically divided
into three regions.
• Euphotic zone: It receives abundant light and shows
high photosynthetic activity.
• Bathyal zone: It receives dim light and is usually geologically active.
• Abyssal zone: It is the dark zone and is very deep (2000 to metres).
Salem
Characteristics of Ocean Ecosystem
It occupies a large surface area with saline water.
Since ship, submarines can sail in ocean,
commercial activities may be earned out.
It is rich in biodiversity.
It moderates the- temperature
Structure and function Ecosystems

Abiotic components Examples

Temperature, light, NaCl, K, Ca, and Mg Salts
alkalinity

Biotic components
1. Producers :
Phytoplanktons (diatoms, unicellular algae, etc., ) and
marine
plants (sea weeds, chlorophycela, phaeophyceae).
2. Consumers
These are heterotrophic macro consumers. They depend
on producers for their nutrition.
Primary consumers (herbivores) :They feed on producers
Ex: Crustaceans, molluscs, fish
Secondary consumers (carnivores) : They feed on
herbivores
Ex: Herring, mackerel, etc.,
Tertiary Consumers: They are the top consumers. They
feed on small
Ex: Cod, Haddock, -etc.,
3. Decomposers: They decompose the dead organic
matter. Ex: Bacteria and some fungi.
 Human
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 ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEM
Introduction
An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal area at the’ mouth
of a river, where sea water mixes with freshwater. It is
strongly affected by tidal action. Estuaries are generally :
abundant of nutrients. Estuaries are useful to human beings
due to their high food potential. It is essential to protect the
estuaries from pollution.
Characteristics of Estuarine ecosystem
• Estuaries are transition zones, which are strongly affected
by tides of the sea.
• Water characteristics are periodically changed.
• The living organism in estuarine ecosystems have wide tolerance.
• Salinity remains highest during the summer and lowest during
the winter.
Structure and function of Estuarine Ecosystem
Abiotic Components
Examples :Temperature, pH, sodium and potassium
salts and various nutrients.
Biotic Components
Producers
Examples :Marsh grasses, seaweeds , sea-grasses and
phytoplankton.
Consumers
Examples :Oysters, crabs, seabirds, small fishes
Decomposers
Examples :Bacterias, fungi and actenomycetous.
 Sand Wedge

· / f
Quick Fish

Squat Jellies ,. Flapeelia

f ·
Salt Snails

/ I
Plankton

I
Asperdoma
Mud Foot

Heliotropus