Consider the following statements and select the correct option that fills in the blanks. I. A ......... food chain begins with dead organic matter. II. In xerarch succession the series progress from ................ conditions. III. Breaking down of detritus into small particles by earthworm is called .........

Step-by-step solution

Detritus is the dead organic material that includes the parts or bodies of dead organisms and their fecal matter. These organic contents are broken down into inorganic substances by the process called decomposition. Decomposition is a multi-step process where fragmentation is one of them. In fragmentation the detritus matter is broken down to smaller pieces, generally brought about by earthworm. Food chain starting with dead organic matter is termed as a detritus food chain (DFC). Ecological succession is a sequent