The deciduous forest supports a diverse ecology. A warm growing season with abundant moisture encourages plants to grow, and the ground is covered with small plants, flowers, ferns, and grasses. In spring the trees and shrubs produce new leaves and colorful flowers. In summer the tall trees cast shade on the forest floor, providing ideal growing conditions for shade-tolerant plants. Seeds and berries provide for plant reproduction, and feed small rodents and birds. The leaves that fall in the autumn provide plenty of material for decomposers, soil bacteria, worms, grubs, and fungi. All these plants together are the primary producers. If berries were destroyed and taken out of the food web, which organisms would be directly affected? *

10 points

Captionless Image

The snake, the owl, and the fox would be directly affected by the loss of berries.

The mouse and the frog would be directly affected by the loss of berries.

No organisms in the food web would be directly affected by the loss of berries.

The squirrels, rabbits, and grasshoppers would be directly affected by the loss of berries.