Question

Birds and mammals:

A: are only first-order consumers B: are only second-order consumers
C: are only decomposers D:can be first- and second-order consume

Answer 1

Birds and mammals can be either first-order or second-order consumers depending on their diets, as they can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores. They are not decomposers, which are organisms that break down dead material. The correct answer is option(D)

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Consumers in Ecology

In ecological terms, birds and mammals can occupy different levels in the food chain, making them either first-order or second-order consumers, but not solely decomposers. First-order consumers, or primary consumers, are typically herbivores that feed on producers such as plants and phytoplankton. On the other hand, second-order consumers, or secondary consumers, are carnivores or omnivores that eat the primary consumers.

Birds and mammals display a range of dietary habits. Some are herbivores (e.g., deer), making them first-order consumers, while others are carnivores (e.g., hawks) or omnivores (e.g., humans, bears), which may make them second-order consumers depending on their prey. However, they do not fall into the category of decomposers, which are organisms like fungi and bacteria that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

In conclusion, birds and mammals can be either first-order consumers or second-order consumers based on their dietary habits. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is D. can be first- and second-order consumers.