What ecological role do woodlice primarily fulfill in terrestrial ecosystems regarding decaying organic matter?
Answer
Detritivores
Woodlice are fundamentally important components of healthy soil ecology because their primary function is that of detritivores. This means their diet consists almost entirely of dead and decaying organic material found in their habitat, such as leaf litter, dead plant matter, fungi, and deceased animals. By consuming this detritus, they break down large pieces of complex matter into smaller, more digestible components. This process is essential for the nutrient cycle, ensuring that vital elements trapped in waste are recycled back into the soil, thereby preventing the accumulation of debris and promoting fertile ground. They are critical decomposers.
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