Fungi and bacteria that break down dead matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil. Core Characteristics 1. Biotic community - BIOLOGY4ISC

Animals that must eat other organisms to gain energy.

Members are generally classified by their roles in energy flow:

Plants and algae that convert sunlight into food through photosynthesis.

In ecology, a is a naturally occurring group of different species—plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria—that live together and interact within a shared environment. These populations are bound by an intricate web of interdependence, relying on one another for food, shelter, and survival. Key Components