Question

questions 2 through 4 refer to the following. the next questions are based on the following table of organisms in an ecological community. the x in a cell indicates that the organism is eaten by the consumer in the first column. consumer organisms that are being eaten shrews hawks grasshoppers snakes shrews x hawks x x grasshoppers snakes x spider x 4 mark for review which of the following categories of organisms, which are required for the cycling of matter in an ecosystem, is missing from the table? a producers b primary consumers c secondary consumers d decomposers

Explanation:

Producers make their own food through photosynthesis and are the base of the food - chain. Primary consumers eat producers, secondary consumers eat primary consumers, and decomposers break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients. The table only shows consumers and no organisms that produce energy or break down dead matter. Decomposers are essential for the cycling of matter in an ecosystem by breaking down organic material and returning nutrients to the soil. Since producers are not shown either, but the focus is on matter - cycling and decomposers play a crucial role in it, decomposers are the ones missing from the table.

Answer:

D. Decomposers