Squirrels are herbivores and are part of the food web. When a squirrel dies, what happens next?

When a squirrel dies, the process that follows involves decomposers breaking down the organic material of the squirrel into its basic elements. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, play a crucial role in the ecosystem. They recycle nutrients from dead organisms back into the environment, ensuring that matter is not wasted.

As the decomposers consume the squirrel, they break down complex organic compounds into simpler substances, which can then be used by plants and other organisms. This process enriches the soil with nutrients, making them available for use in new plant growth. Thus, the sequence of decomposition supports the continuity of the food web and the energy cycle within ecosystems.

While energy is indeed released during decomposition and carbon dioxide is a byproduct of the metabolic processes of decomposers, the most direct and defining process following the death of the squirrel is the action of decomposers breaking it down into its basic elements. This is a vital part of ecological nutrient cycling and sustainability. The idea that there would be a net gain in matter in the soil is misleading, as matter is transformed rather than gained in total.