| 1. | herbivores | 2. | trees |
| 3. | shrubs | 4. | grasses |
| I: | conversion of inorganic into organic material, with the help of the radiant energy of the sun, by the autotrophs |
| II: | consumption of the autotrophs by heterotrophs; |
| III: | decomposition and mineralization of the dead matter to release them back for reuse by the autotrophs. |