When a Woodpecker is hammering away at a tree and putting holes in the bark, it is. . . . . . Most of the energy consumed in ecosystems is provided by plants. Without plants, all organisms would soon run out of food. Plants absorb minerals, such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, from the soil. These are stored in plant tissues and are an essential part of the diet of animals that eat plants.
Plants help form, enrich, and stabilize soil.
The crusty, gray-green lichens and hearty mosses help break down and crumble rock into soil. The roots of herbs and trees also contribute to this process. Leaves and other decaying plant material increase the fertility of soil. Plant roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Through the ages, people have found that certain plants relieve their aches and pains.