What is the fundamental ecological function solidified by the woodlice's habit of consuming cellulose in wood and leaves?
Answer
Decomposers
The collective feeding habits of woodlice firmly establish them as indispensable decomposers within terrestrial ecosystems. By consuming tough, complex organic compounds like cellulose found in wood and leaves, they perform the crucial initial step of breaking these materials down into simpler forms. This action facilitates nutrient cycling, as the resulting simpler matter becomes available for further processing by other soil microbes and organisms. Without this constant work performed by woodlice, plant debris accumulation would slow significantly, locking away vital nutrients necessary for new plant growth.
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