Answer:
Here's a brief description of how carbon cycles between these groups:
Producers (Plants): Producers, primarily green plants, play a crucial role in the carbon cycle through photosynthesis. They take in carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and convert it into organic compounds, mainly in the form of carbohydrates (like glucose), using energy from the sun. This process stores carbon in plant tissues.
Consumers (Animals): Consumers, such as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, obtain carbon by consuming plants and other organisms. They break down the organic compounds in their food for energy and incorporate carbon into their own tissues. This carbon transfer occurs as they feed at various trophic levels within the food chain.
Decomposers (Microorganisms): Decomposers, like bacteria and fungi, play a vital role in recycling carbon. They break down dead plants and animal matter, returning carbon to the environment. During the decomposition process, organic compounds are broken into simpler molecules, releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. This carbon can be taken up again by plants, continuing the cycle.