Level 1-Primary Consumers (2024)

This level is made up of herbivores: bacteria,fungi,actinomycetes,nematodes, mites, snails, slugs, earthworms, millipedes, sowbugs and worms. Note that some types of mites are carnivores.

The most productive members of your compost pile’s food web are the bacteria, which are chemical decomposers. As a group, they can eat nearly anything. Some are so adaptable that they can use more than a hundred different organic compounds as their source of carbon because of their ability to produce a variety of enzymes. Usually, they can produce the appropriate enzyme to digest whatever material they find themselves on.

Every piece of organic matter you place in the pile is covered with varying amounts of bacteria. As they digest the organic material and break it down into its basic elements, they are also reproducing at an incredible rate. One gram of bacteria can become about 450 grams of bacteria in only three hours.

There are many kinds of specialized bacteria operating in different temperature ranges.

Psychrophilic bacteriawork best in temperatures of about 13 degrees C (55 degrees F), but can stay on the job even in near freezing conditions. This is why you will notice your compost pile sinking in the winter; these bacteria are busy breaking down organic matter. As these cooler bacteria go to work, their activity actually begins to heat up the pile. The increased temperature creates the ideal conditions for the next type of bacteria to arrive.

Mesophilic bacteriawork best in temperatures of about 21 degrees C to 32 degrees C (70 degrees F to 90 degrees F), but can stay on the job in even hotter conditions. The activity of mesophilic bacteria can heat the pile up to even greater temperatures of 43 degrees C (110 degrees F).

Thermophilic bacteriabecome active when the temperature reaches between 40 degrees to 93 degrees C (104 degrees F to 200 degrees F). If you notice your compost pile steaming in the morning or on a frosty day, it’s because these bacteria are busy at work, decomposing your organic waste. These bacteria generally last for up to five days, and then the pile begins to cool.

Actinomycetesgo to work next. These fine, gray-colored strands are a cross between the bacteria and fungi that often excrete vitamins and antibiotics as they consume the organic waste in your pile.

Moldsandfungi get down to business along with the actinomycetes. Molds are actually a form of fungi. The presence of mold and fungi usually implies decay, although some molds are deliberately grown in laboratories for the production of antibiotics.

Level 1-Primary Consumers (6)Snails, slugs, millipedes, sow bugs, pill bugs, mites and earthworms are the larger invertebrates that shred the plant materials, creating more surface area for action by the microscopic fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes, which are in turn eaten by organisms such as mites and springtails. These creatures all excrete “castings” that are very dark and fine, and great for your plants.

Level 1-Primary Consumers (7)Snailsare terrestrial mollusks, typically having a spirally coiled shell, broad retractile foot, and distinct head. They generally feed on living plant material but will attack fresh garbage and plant debris and will therefore appear in the compost heap.

Level 1-Primary Consumers (8)Slugsare basically snails without the shell. They, too, feed on living plant material, fresh garbage, and plant debris, and will also show up in the compost heap.

Level 1-Primary Consumers (9)Millipedesare nonpoisonous arthropods with cylindrical bodies of 20 to 100 segments, with two pairs of legs per segment. They feed mainly on decaying plant tissue but will also eat insect carcasses and excrement.

Level 1-Primary Consumers (10)Sow bugsare fat bodied crustaceans with delicate plate-like gills along the lower surface of their abdomens which must be kept moist. They move slowly, grazing on decaying vegetation.

Level 1-Primary Consumers (11)Pill bugslook similar to sow bugs and also graze on decaying vegetation, but are more flexible. They can roll themselves into a ball to protect themselves, which gives them their common nickname: “roly polys.

Level 1-Primary Consumers (12)Mitesare the second most common invertebrate found in compost. They have eight leg-like jointed appendages. Some can be seen with the naked eye and others are microscopic. Some scavenge in leaves, rotten wood, fungi, and other organic debris. Others are predators and feed on nematodes, eggs, insect larvae, and other mites and springtails.

Level 1-Primary Consumers (13)Earthwormsalso arrive at this stage and are generally welcomed by new composters. As a result of the worm’s well-deserved reputation for being excellent decomposers, many people think that it’s a great idea to add extra worms to their compost pile. This is unnecessary. Let the worms find their own way into the pile, when the conditions are right. They prefer the pile when it is cooler, so adding worms could lead to their quick demise in a hot, steamy pile.

Compost Pile Microbes Home

For more information contact: Organic Materials, organics@calrecycle.ca.gov

Level 1-Primary Consumers (2024)

FAQs

What are the Level 1 primary consumers? ›

This level is made up of herbivores: bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, nematodes, mites, snails, slugs, earthworms, millipedes, sowbugs and worms. Note that some types of mites are carnivores.

What is 1 example of primary consumer? ›

What are examples of primary consumers? Primary consumers are animals that eat plants as part of their diet or as their entire diet. Examples of primary consumers include insects, mice, cows, horses, and butterflies.

What type of organisms are on level 1? ›

The first and lowest level contains the producers, green plants. The plants or their products are consumed by the second-level organisms—the herbivores, or plant eaters. At the third level, primary carnivores, or meat eaters, eat the herbivores; and at the fourth level, secondary carnivores eat the primary carnivores.

What is a 1 order consumer? ›

Herbivores. The first order consumers or primary consumers are always herbivores since they feed on the producers directly. Autotrophs are organisms that produce food using nutrients from the soil and sunlight and are also called producers.

What do first level consumers eat? ›

The organisms that eat the producers are the primary consumers. They tend to be small in size and there are many of them. The primary consumers are herbivores (vegetarians). The organisms that eat the primary consumers are meat eaters (carnivores) and are called the secondary consumers.

What are 3 primary consumers? ›

Examples of primary consumers include rabbits, deer, cows, grasshoppers, and many insects. They form the base of the food chain, as they are consumed by secondary consumers (carnivores or omnivores) and other higher trophic levels in the ecosystem.

What is a 2nd primary consumer? ›

Primary consumers are those that consume the primary producers (plants). For example- rabbits consume grass. Secondary consumers are those that consume the primary consumers (herbivores). For example- Snakes that consumes rabbit. Tertiary consumers are those that eats the secondary consumers (large predators).

Is a fox a primary consumer? ›

The red fox is a secondary consumer because it is an omnivore and eats both plants and other herbivorous animals like mice or rabbits. At the top of the food web are tertiary consumers, which eat both primary and secondary consumers.

Who is a primary customer? ›

The primary customer might be the consumer or end user of a product or service, or an intermediary such as a broker or reseller. Identifying the most appropriate primary customer requires an assessment of each customer group along three dimensions: • Perspective.

What level consumer is a mouse? ›

Mouse occupies the trophic level of secondary consumers, while owl is the tertiary consumer.

What is organism 1? ›

or·​gan·​ism ˈȯr-gə-ˌniz-əm. 1. : something having many related parts that function together as a whole. 2. : an individual living thing that carries on the activities of life by means of organs which have separate functions but are dependent on each other : a living person, plant, or animal.

What is an example of an organism in the 1st trophic level? ›

The first trophic level is composed of algae and plants. Organisms on this level are called producers, as they make their own food by using photosynthesis to convert light energy into chemical energy. These organisms are known as autotrophs. Examples include seaweed, trees, and various plants.

Are bugs primary consumers? ›

Primary consumers are typically herbivores—animals that eat plants. They are called heterotrophs because they must eat other things to survive. This is different from producers, which are autotrophs and make their own food. Common examples of this type of consumer are insects, rodents, and deer.

Is a mouse a primary consumer? ›

The first level of consumers is made of herbivores. These animals are also called primary consumers. They eat plants, algae, and other producers. Deer, mice, and elephants are herbivores.

Is a frog a primary consumer? ›

The frog is considered to be a secondary consumer because it depends upon the primary consumer for its food like insects. Primary consumers are the ones who depend upon autotrophs or the producers for their food like herbivores.

What is level 2 primary consumers? ›

Primary consumers make up the second trophic level. They are also called herbivores. They eat primary producers—plants or algae—and nothing else. For example, a grasshopper living in the Everglades is a primary consumer.

What are Level 2 consumers? ›

Secondary consumers are organisms that eat primary consumers for energy. Primary consumers are always herbivores, or organisms that only eat autotrophic plants. However, secondary consumers can either be carnivores or omnivores. Carnivores only eat other animals, and omnivores eat both plant and animal matter.

What are the 4 level consumers? ›

The fourth consumer in the food chain is called the quaternary consumer. The word quaternary means four. It's fourth in the chain after the sun, producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers. The sun provides energy to the producers.

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