Life In a Rotten Log

A rotten log is an excellent example of a habitat made up of primary consumers, secondary consumers, scavengers and decomposer.  The process begins when a tree is damaged by weather, insect or disease.  The bark will crack allowing moisture, fungus and bark beetles to begin the break down of the wood.  Over time the wood will soften and the tree will fall.  Once on the ground moisture will allow the bacteria and fungus to really move in and feed on the wood.  Bark Beetles, Ground beetles, bess beetles, rhino beetles,millipedes, wood lice, termites, and carpenter ants will feed on the wood as well.  Toads, frogs, salamanders, centipedes and spiders are secondary consumers that move in to eat the primary comsumers and decomposers.  The wood will gradually become soil which will attract the earthworms. The beetles will then move out to newer logs.  The entire process averages out to about ten years.