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Decomposition
Joany Funk
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe producers make the nutrients from the inorganic matter around them. The nutrients are not returned to the producer once they are made.
This is confusing to students who are taught about the food chain. They are told to follow the path of the nutrients from the final consumer to the producer. You are being asked to work backwards.
The producer makes the nutrients, and passes them on to the first consumer, who passes them on to the second consumer, who may pass them on to a third consumer. If you are trying to explain how the nutrients back to the producer, you aren't following the path the nutrients took, you're tracing the path backwards.
Think of if like rewinding a movie (if you remember VHS...) or retracing your steps to find something you've lost. The third consumer got the nutrients by eating the second consumer, before that the second consumer got them by eating the first consumer. The nutrients left the producer, and we're tracing back to, when the first consumer ate the producer.
Lets look at this food chain:grass 1---> grasshopper 2--> mouse 3---> snake 4---> hawk
Once the grass is eaten by the grasshopper, the grass is gone and the nutrients will not be returned to it.
To trace the nutrients "back to the producer" we start with the hawk, who is the fourth consumer.
- 4 The hawk got the nutrients from eating the snake.
- 3 The snake got the nutrients from eating the mouse.
- 2 The mouse got the nutrients from eating the grasshopper.
- 1 The grasshopper got the nutrients from eating the grass.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoNutrients are added back into the soil through natural composting. Leaves compost and mix with the soil and add nutrients back. Also, animals leaving droppings add to the nutrients as it decomposes and mixes with the soil.
Think of what you would buy at a store to add nutrients to your soil at home. . . compost or manure. Same ideas.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoNutrients returned to the ecosystem in which they live.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agothe dead organism dissolves to transfer to nutrition for plants
this is what i know
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Does martian soil have nutrients?
Yes martian soil does have nutrients such as sodium.
How does a rose get its nutrients?
A rose gets its nutrients from the soil. The rose draws the nutrients through the roots that are in the soil.
How do nutrients get into the soil?
Nutrients enter the soil when an animal dies and its body decomposes into the soil, or when a plant decomposes into the soil when it dies. And that pretty much creates nutrients. :P
What can add sediments and nutrients to soil?
which one can add sediments and nutrients to soil
What kind of abiotic factor are the nutrients in soil?
the abiotic factor nutrients in the soil are ferilizers
An organism that returns nutrients to soil are the?
Decomposers.
What is the relationship between soil and vegetation?
The soil gives nutrients to the vegetation; vegetation roots iteslf in the soil and returns nutrients ot the soil when it dies.
Could compost turn into soil?
Yes. When you compost something, it breaks down and returns nutrients to the soil.
Why does composting help the environment?
Composting vegetation waste returns nutrients to the soil.
What happens to the product of decay?
The chemicals and nutrients from decaying fauna and flora returns to the soil.
Why do people need the process of decay?
People need the process of decay because it returns the nutrients to the soil. The nutrients then travel throughout the food chain to people.
What are the soil characteristic of a tropical rain forest?
the rapid decay of plants and animals returns nutrients to the soil.But these nutrients are quickly absorbed and used by the plants.The nutrients that are not immediatly used by the plants are washed away by the heavy rains. The soil is left thin and nutrient poor.
What are the benefits for garding compost?
It returns lost nutrients back into the soil, and saves space at the land fill ! Free fertilizer without the harmful chemicals !
Does martian soil have nutrients?
Yes martian soil does have nutrients such as sodium.
How soil have nutrients?
the soil have nutrients because theyobserve heat from the sun
How does a rose get its nutrients?
A rose gets its nutrients from the soil. The rose draws the nutrients through the roots that are in the soil.
How do nutrients get into the soil?
Nutrients enter the soil when an animal dies and its body decomposes into the soil, or when a plant decomposes into the soil when it dies. And that pretty much creates nutrients. :P
