Answer

1. The sun2. Producers are important to ecosystems because they form the base of the food chain and convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, providing energy and nutrients for other organisms.3. Biomass is the total mass of living organisms in a particular area or ecosystem. Examples include trees, grass, and algae.4. True5. Herbivore: Deer; Carnivore: Lion; Omnivore: Bear; Detritivore: Earthworm; Decomposer: Fungus6. Decomposers are important to ecosystems because they break down dead organisms and waste materials, recycling nutrients back into the environment and maintaining the health of the ecosystem.

Explanation

1. The ultimate source of energy on earth is the sun. The sun's energy is captured by plants and other photosynthetic organisms through the process of photosynthesis, which converts solar energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose and other organic molecules. These molecules then serve as a source of energy for other organisms in the ecosystem.2. Producers, or autotrophs, are important to ecosystems because they form the base of the food chain and are responsible for converting solar energy into a form that can be used by other organisms. They produce their own food through photosynthesis, providing energy and nutrients for consumers and decomposers. Without producers, ecosystems would not have a stable energy source, and many organisms would not be able to survive.3. Biomass refers to the total mass of living organisms in a particular area or ecosystem. It is a measure of the amount of organic material available in an ecosystem, which can be used as a source of energy by consumers and decomposers. Examples of biomass include trees, grass, and algae.4. True. A desert has less net productivity than a tropical rainforest due to the harsh environmental conditions and limited availability of water in deserts. In contrast, tropical rainforests have abundant sunlight, water, and nutrients, which support a high level of biodiversity and productivity.5. Examples of different types of consumers are:- Herbivore: A deer, which primarily eats plants.- Carnivore: A lion, which primarily eats other animals.- Omnivore: A bear, which eats both plants and animals.- Detritivore: A earthworm, which eats decaying organic material.- Decomposer: A fungus, which breaks down dead organic material and recycles nutrients in the ecosystem.6. Decomposers are important to ecosystems because they break down dead organisms and waste materials, releasing nutrients back into the environment. This process, known as decomposition, helps to recycle nutrients and maintain the health of the ecosystem. Without decomposers, dead organic material would accumulate, and nutrients would become locked away and unavailable for use by other organisms.