The Eco-system |
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The Cave Eco-system. There are many different types of caves. Glacial caves are teeming with life. Chemical caves have no life because of to much chemicals. I have chosen land caves because there are many of them and usually have the same Eco-system Land caves In land caves there are three levels of the Eco-system. 1.Microorganisms and Decomposers Microorganisms and decomposers are the fist level in the Eco-system. Examples of these include: bacteria, guano ( bat poo ), fungus and organic material. These organisms live in the darker zones of the cave. 2.Omnivores and Herbivores Omnivores and herbivores are the second layer in the Eco-system . Some of these include:millipedes, crustaceans, amphipods and planarians( Flatworms ).They feed on the first level such as bacteria and fungus. 3.Predators At top of the food chain are predators such as bats, salamanders, centipedes and spiders. Then the predators die and they decompose into bacteria and assist organic material and fungi to form. Guano is bat poo the bat defecates and their waste falls to the floor starting the food chain again. |
Amphipod (above). Planarian (below). |