Essentials of Ecology

S56 SUPPLEMENT 9

Producer

to primary

consumer

Primary

to secondary

consumer

Secondary to

higher-level

consumer

All producers and

consumers to

decomposers

BacteriaBacteria

FungiFungi

Long-tailedLong-tailed

weaselweasel

Wood frogWood frog

RacerRacer

May beetleMay beetle

Shagbark hickoryShagbark hickory

MountainMountain

winterberrywinterberry

Metallic Metallic

wood-boringwood-boring

beetle andbeetle and

larvaelarvae

White-tailedWhite-tailed

deerdeer

White-footedWhite-footed

mousemouse

GrayGray

squirrelsquirrel

White oakWhite oak

HairyHairy

woodpeckerwoodpecker

Broad-wingedBroad-winged

hawkhawk

Bacteria

Fungi

Long-tailed

weasel

Wood frog

Racer

May beetle

Shagbark hickory

Mountain

winterberry

Metallic

wood-boring

beetle and

larvae

White-tailed

deer

White-footed

mouse

Gray

squirrel

White oak

Hairy

woodpecker

Broad-winged

hawk

Figure 4 Some components and interactions in a
temperate deciduous forest ecosystem. When these
organisms die, decomposers break down their or-
ganic matter into minerals that plants use. Colored
arrows indicate transfers of matter and energy
among producers, primary consumers (herbivores),
secondary or higher-level consumers (carnivores),
and decomposers. Organisms are not drawn to
scale. Question: What species might increase and
what species might decrease in population size if
the broad-winged hawk were eliminated from this
ecosystem?