Which of the following groups consumes only plant matter?

The group that consumes only plant matter is herbivores. Herbivores are organisms that specifically feed on plants, including leaves, stems, fruits, and seeds. They play a crucial role in ecosystems by helping to maintain the balance between primary producers (plants) and higher trophic levels.

In contrast, carnivores primarily eat other animals, making them essential in controlling prey populations. Omnivores consume both plant and animal matter, which allows them to occupy a diverse range of ecological niches. Detritivores, on the other hand, feed on decomposing organic material, contributing to nutrient recycling in ecosystems, but they do not exclusively consume plants.

Understanding these classifications helps clarify the roles different organisms play in food webs and ecosystems, highlighting the importance of herbivores in plant population control and energy transfer within the ecosystem.