{"id":27804,"date":"2025-10-17T07:09:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T07:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/?page_id=27804"},"modified":"2025-10-17T19:00:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T19:00:25","slug":"functional-groups","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/functional-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"4b1 Functional Groups"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-27804\" data-postid=\"27804\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-27804 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-css_id=\"xrra706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_xrra706 tb_first tf_w\">\n            <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_6vja706 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_dk5d706 image-center   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-1-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_xkd6706  tb_hide_divider\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h1 class=\"fancy-heading tf_textc\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    Functional Groups            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                    Producers, Consumers, &amp; Decomposers            <\/span>\n    <\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n<!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_5thi706 image-center   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/gTe5G8KLc-1024x1024.png\" width=\"50\" height=\"1024\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"h468706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_h468706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_mdyb706 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_qwkp706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/a1.jpg\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_ooq3706 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_1yew706    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3><strong>Functional Groups Objectives<\/strong><\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_hpj1706    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li><strong>Describe the ecosystem roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide examples of organisms representing different functional groups.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-desktop-padding=\"6%,6%\" data-css_id=\"6zb6706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_6zb6706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_4g5l706 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_usgk706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">Organisms can be classified based on their structures and\/or based on the role they play within an ecosystem.\u00a0 We previous met taxonomic classification; this page describes functional classification.<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"15nz706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_15nz706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_6h5l706 first\">\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"7wvx706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_7wvx706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_gtpm706 first\">\n                            <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_02mr706\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_wnbi706 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_2jor706 image-center bordered  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/tax--1024x547.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"260\" title=\"Taxonomic Classification\" alt=\"This is the classification system based on structures and evolutionary relatedness.\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    Taxonomic Classification                            <\/h3>\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            This is the classification system based on structures and evolutionary relatedness.        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_364t706 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_c21r706 image-center bordered  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/funct-1024x572.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"260\" title=\"Functional Classification\" alt=\"This is the role an organism plays in the ecosystem, including how it relates to other species.\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    Functional Classification                            <\/h3>\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            This is the role an organism plays in the ecosystem, including how it relates to other species.        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"bxzf706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_bxzf706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ubnx706 first\">\n                            <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tb_9ty6706\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_gs7p706 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_w5ig706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/oak-1024x730.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"730\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_7rk9706 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_j9xo706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6>An Oregon White oak tree <strong><em>(<\/em><i>Quercus garryana) <\/i><\/strong>is taxonomically classified in <em>Domain Eukaryota, Kingdom Plantae, Phylum Angiosperm, Class (Clade) Dicot, Order Rosids, Family Fagaceae, Genus Quercus<\/em> and <em>species garryana<\/em>.<\/h6>\n<h6>\u00a0<\/h6>\n<h6>Its functional classification is <strong>producer<\/strong>.<\/h6>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-parallax-bg=\"desktop\" data-anchor=\"reservation\" data-css_id=\"y4ge706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_has_section tb_section-reservation tb_y4ge706 tf_w\">\n            <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_fwr0706 first\">\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_kqc4706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_vggn706 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_eisy706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Functional Groups<\/h2>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"6r4x706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_6r4x706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_vxi4706 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_zohz706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Now that we have some of the vocabulary, this video reviews these terms and provides an overview of food web concepts found throughout this guide.<\/strong><\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_wwyi706 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/315045688?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"7w1e706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_7w1e706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_k8k0706 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_odok706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/vividscience.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/functional-consumer-modified-SS-1024x636.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"350\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_zh3o706 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_wqum706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5>Animals need to consume other consumers for nutrients and energy:<\/h5>\n<h5>Herbivore consumers eat ___.<\/h5>\n<h5>___ consumers eat other consumers, or their recently dead remains (scavengers)<\/h5>\n<h5>___ can eat producers and consumers<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-desktop-padding=\"3px,3px\" data-css_id=\"s1sl706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_s1sl706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_rujl706 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_2su0706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5>Animals do not choose their functional group, they have digestive organs, feeding structures, dietary requirements, and behaviors that obligate them to eat certain foods.\u00a0 This jumping spider only eats other consumers, classifying it as an obligate carnivore.<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_9n5b706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shutterstock_1741445750.jpg\" width=\"1500\" height=\"200\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_ka9n706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5>Of the different consumer functional groups, which has the most potential flexibility in diet?<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3qg1706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Answer: omnivores like humans, foxes and crows can live off different foods in a variety of habitats<\/em><\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"1idn706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_1idn706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-3 tb_n4pb706 first\">\n                    <!-- module video -->\n<div  class=\"module module-video tb_lmdh706 video-top  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n                    <div class=\"video-wrap-outer\">\n            <div class=\"video-wrap tf_rel tf_overflow\">\n                                    <noscript><iframe data-no-script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/314930577?h=&#038;pip=1&#038;playsinline=1&#038;portrait=0&#038;title=0&#038;byline=0\" allow=\"fullscreen\" class=\"tf_abs tf_w tf_h\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n                                <\/div>\n            <!-- \/video-wrap -->\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/video-wrap-outer -->\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 tb_bar5706 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_0yjs706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>This video uses a poster to review the basic functional groups.<\/strong><\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-parallax-bg=\"desktop\" data-css_id=\"2xx1706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_2xx1706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ag1a706 first\">\n                            <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_3 tb_b159706\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_gftq706 first\">\n                            <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-2 tb_0bha706\">\n                            <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_gvh3706 last\">\n                            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-desktop-padding=\"3px,3px\" data-css_id=\"f3tp706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_f3tp706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ovmo706 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_tqxp706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5>The next section explores why there is typically far more producer biomass than consumer biomass in an ecosystem and introduces seeds.<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"401g706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth_row_container tb_401g706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_xri9706 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_6bwt706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/a1.jpg\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_k1if706 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_zbsw706    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5><strong>Check your knowledge.\u00a0 Can you:<\/strong><\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_8s0r706    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <ul>\n<li><strong>describe the ecosystem roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>provide examples of organisms representing different functional groups?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>explain how flowers relate to fruit and seeds?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"ngtl706\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_ngtl706 tf_w\">\n            <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_middle gutter-none tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_94ao706 first\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_wm5h706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Guide-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_p9m0706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5>Go back to the Food Webs Guide Overview<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_typx706 last\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_jzfm706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/biomass\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-2-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_khdl706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h5>Go forward to the Biomass Page<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_gtw6706 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_otr1706 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_9pma706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Food Webs Lecture Guide Contents<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_w6bk706 solid  divider-custom divider-center\" style=\"border-width: 3px;border-color: #bf0f29;margin-top: 10px;margin-bottom: 20px;max-width: 120px;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_n3z5706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h6>This guide and lecture material are assessed on the weekly quiz.<\/h6>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_4 tb_h86e706\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_kglg706 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_odfk706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-1-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Functional Groups - YOU ARE HERE\" alt=\"Functional Groups - YOU ARE HERE\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    Functional Groups - YOU ARE HERE                            <\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_vu8y706\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_slpt706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/biomass\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-2-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Biomass\" alt=\"Biomass\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/biomass\/#\">\n                        Biomass                    <\/a>\n                            <\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_9d7v706\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_wau2706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/energy-nutrients\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-3-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Energy &amp; Nutrients\" alt=\"Energy &amp; Nutrients\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/energy-nutrients\/#\">\n                        Energy & Nutrients                    <\/a>\n                            <\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col4-1 tb_6vws706 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_u4ue706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/decomposers\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-4-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Decomposers\" alt=\"Decomposers\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/decomposers\/#\">\n                        Decomposers                    <\/a>\n                            <\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-css_id=\"9m5x705\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row fullwidth tb_9m5x705 tf_w\">\n            <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top gutter-none tb_col_count_3 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_k021706 first\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_sr1t706 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Module-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_ox3u706   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Back to Module 4<\/h3>\n<h5>This week&#8217;s overview<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_3s5g705\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_ciz0705 image-top   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/#\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Guide-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_2ywn705   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>This Guide<\/h3>\n<h5>Food Webs<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_loqx705 last\">\n        <span  class=\"builder_row_cover tf_abs\" data-lazy=\"1\"><\/span>            <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_pj8f705 image-top circle  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstate.instructure.com\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/vividscience.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Screen-Shot-2018-10-14-at-10.32.37-PM-3.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"368\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_j1s2705   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Direct Link to Canvas<\/h3>\n<h5>Submit Products<\/h5>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Functional Groups Objectives<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":27765,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27804","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"<img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-1-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">\n<h1>Functional Groups<br\/>Producers, Consumers, & Decomposers<\/h1>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/gTe5G8KLc-1024x1024.png\" width=\"50\" height=\"1024\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">\n<img src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/a1.jpg\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">\n<h3><strong>Functional Groups Objectives<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul> <li><strong>Describe the ecosystem roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers.<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>Provide examples of organisms representing different functional groups.<\/strong><\/li> <\/ul>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">Organisms can be classified based on their structures and\/or based on the role they play within an ecosystem.\u00a0 We previous met taxonomic classification; this page describes functional classification.<\/h5>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/tax--1024x547.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"260\" title=\"Taxonomic Classification\" alt=\"This is the classification system based on structures and evolutionary relatedness.\"> <h3> Taxonomic Classification <\/h3> This is the classification system based on structures and evolutionary relatedness.\n<img src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/funct-1024x572.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"260\" title=\"Functional Classification\" alt=\"This is the role an organism plays in the ecosystem, including how it relates to other species.\"> <h3> Functional Classification <\/h3> This is the role an organism plays in the ecosystem, including how it relates to other species.\n<img src=\"http:\/\/naturejournals.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/oak-1024x730.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"730\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">\n<h6>An Oregon White oak tree <strong><em>(<\/em><i>Quercus garryana) <\/i><\/strong>is taxonomically classified in <em>Domain Eukaryota, Kingdom Plantae, Phylum Angiosperm, Class (Clade) Dicot, Order Rosids, Family Fagaceae, Genus Quercus<\/em> and <em>species garryana<\/em>.<\/h6> <h6>\u00a0<\/h6> <h6>Its functional classification is <strong>producer<\/strong>.<\/h6> <p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Functional Groups<\/h2>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Now that we have some of the vocabulary, this video reviews these terms and provides an overview of food web concepts found throughout this guide.<\/strong><\/h6>\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/315045688[\/embed]\n<img src=\"http:\/\/vividscience.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/functional-consumer-modified-SS-1024x636.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"350\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">\n<h5>Animals need to consume other consumers for nutrients and energy:<\/h5> <h5>Herbivore consumers eat ___.<\/h5> <h5>___ consumers eat other consumers, or their recently dead remains (scavengers)<\/h5> <h5>___ can eat producers and consumers<\/h5>\n<h5>Animals do not choose their functional group, they have digestive organs, feeding structures, dietary requirements, and behaviors that obligate them to eat certain foods.\u00a0 This jumping spider only eats other consumers, classifying it as an obligate carnivore.<\/h5>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shutterstock_1741445750.jpg\" width=\"1500\" height=\"200\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">\n<h5>Of the different consumer functional groups, which has the most potential flexibility in diet?<\/h5>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Answer: omnivores like humans, foxes and crows can live off different foods in a variety of habitats<\/em><\/h6>\n[embed]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/314930577[\/embed]\n<h6 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>This video uses a poster to review the basic functional groups.<\/strong><\/h6>\n<h5>The next section explores why there is typically far more producer biomass than consumer biomass in an ecosystem and introduces seeds.<\/h5>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/biotas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/a1.jpg\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\">\n<h5><strong>Check your knowledge.\u00a0 Can you:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul> <li><strong>describe the ecosystem roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers?<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>provide examples of organisms representing different functional groups?<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>explain how flowers relate to fruit and seeds?<\/strong><\/li> <\/ul>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Guide-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\"> <\/a>\n<h5>Go back to the Food Webs Guide Overview<\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/biomass\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-2-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\"> <\/a>\n<h5>Go forward to the Biomass Page<\/h5>\n<h3>Food Webs Lecture Guide Contents<\/h3>\n\n<h6>This guide and lecture material are assessed on the weekly quiz.<\/h6>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-1-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Functional Groups - YOU ARE HERE\" alt=\"Functional Groups - YOU ARE HERE\"> <h3> Functional Groups - YOU ARE HERE <\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/biomass\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-2-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Biomass\" alt=\"Biomass\"> <\/a> <h3> <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/biomass\/#\"> Biomass <\/a> <\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/energy-nutrients\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-3-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Energy &amp; Nutrients\" alt=\"Energy &amp; Nutrients\"> <\/a> <h3> <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/energy-nutrients\/#\"> Energy & Nutrients <\/a> <\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/decomposers\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Number-4-orange-square.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" title=\"Decomposers\" alt=\"Decomposers\"> <\/a> <h3> <a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/decomposers\/#\"> Decomposers <\/a> <\/h3>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Module-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Back to Module 4<\/h3> <h5>This week's overview<\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/campus-envirobio\/consumers\/food-webs\/#\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/humanbio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Guide-Icon.jpg\" width=\"100\" height=\"1000\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\"> <\/a>\n<h3>This Guide<\/h3> <h5>Food Webs<\/h5>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstate.instructure.com\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/vividscience.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Screen-Shot-2018-10-14-at-10.32.37-PM-3.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"368\" title=\"4b1 Functional Groups\" alt=\"4b1 Functional Groups\"> <\/a>\n<h3>Direct Link to Canvas<\/h3> <h5>Submit Products<\/h5>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27804"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27804\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28052,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27804\/revisions\/28052"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vividscience.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}