Climate and Biodiversity - Environmental Science - page 86

Figure 5-10 Natural capital:
some components and inter-
actions in a temperate desert
ecosystem. When these organ-
isms die, decomposers break
down their organic matter into
minerals that plants use. Colored
arrows indicate transfers of
matter and energy between
producers; primary consumers
(herbivores); secondary, or
higher-level, consumers (carni-
vores); and decomposers. Or-
ganisms are not drawn to scale.
The photo shows a temperate
desert south of Fallon, Nevada.

Red-tailed hawk

Gambel's
quail

Yucca

Agave

Jack
rabbit

Collared
lizard

Prickly
pear
cactus

Roadrunner

Darkling
beetle

Bacteria Bacteria

Diamondback rattlesnake

Fungi Fungi

Kangaroo rat

Producer
to primary
consumer

Primary
to secondary
consumer

Secondary to
higher-level
consumer

All producers and
consumers to
decomposers