Name and describe the roles of the three main trophic categories that make up the biotic structure of every ecosystem. Give examples of organisms from each category.

The three main trophic categories in an ecosystem are: Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers.

Producers, also known as autotrophs, are usually plants or algae that use sunlight through a process known as photosynthesis to create food substance (glucose). They are called producers as they produce their own food. Examples include trees and grass in the forest or phytoplankton in the ocean. Consumers, also known as heterotrophs, depend on other organisms for energy. They consume the producers or other consumers for energy. Consumers can be divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers based on their place in the food chain. Examples include grasshoppers (primary), birds (secondary), and foxes (tertiary). Decomposers, also known as detritivores, break down dead and dying organisms, returning crucial nutrients to the ecosystem. Examples include bacteria and fungi.