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What trophic levels do decomposers feed on?

Answer 1

They are the “last trophic level” in some hierarchies because they feed on everything (National Geographic).

However, according to the strict trophic level definition they would be primary consumers.

They are the “last trophic level” in some hierarchies because they feed on everything (National Geographic). However, according to the strict trophic level definition they would be primary consumers because they consume a source “produced” by natural cycles like plants.

Unless the organism actually invades, attacks, or otherwise causes the death of another trophic level source, it cannot really be considered to consume that form. It is consuming something different than the original creature. See the following diagram.

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Answer 2

Roman Acosta

Decomposers feed on organic matter from all trophic levels, including dead plants and animals, as well as organic waste materials. They break down these materials into simpler substances, contributing to nutrient cycling in ecosystems.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.