5. Analyze: Was the decrease in the average beak depth caused by an increase in small-beaked finches or a decline in large-beaked finches? Explain your answer.

from my research i have to the conclusion that decomposers, such as fungi, bacteria and invertebrates, play a critical role in nutrient cycling and without them the earth's ecosystem may not support life as we know it. elements such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus exist in limited amounts on earth, although huge amounts of carbon are being released into the atmosphere from underground sources now by humans. it is still extremely important that other nutrients be retained by the process of re-use. decomposers are organisms that are able to chemically break down dead material and make these elements available for use by other organisms. without this breakdown of dead material, dead bodies would pile up. so decomposers also play a role in clean up also. without them, life might not continue as we know it and dead material would overwhelm the earth.    

i am going to guess that it is co2.

when you breathe in, or inhale, your diaphragm contracts (tightens) and moves downward. this increases the space in your chest cavity, into which your lungs expand. the intercostal muscles between your ribs also enlarge the chest cavity. they contract to pull your rib cage both upward and outward when you inhale.