Decomposers
Decomposers
Decomposers are living things that break down dead plants, dead animals, and animal waste.
They turn complex materials into simple nutrients like minerals that mix with the soil.
Without decomposers, dead bodies and waste would pile up and plants would not get nutrients.
They play a very important role in nutrient recycling in all ecosystems.
Examples of decomposers:
Bacteria – break down almost everything, even tiny dead materials.
Fungi (mushrooms, molds) – grow on dead wood, leaves, and food, and break them down.
Earthworms – eat dead leaves and make the soil richer.
Termites – break down dead wood.
Some insects like beetles also help in breaking down waste
Other insects
Some insects like beetles also help in breaking down waste
Decomposers do not eat like animals.
They release special chemicals (enzymes) onto dead plants/animals.
These chemicals break the dead material into tiny, simple substances.
Then they absorb those tiny nutrients into their bodies.
This process is called external digestion because digestion happens outside their bodies.
Examples:
Fungi send out enzymes into dead wood → wood becomes soft → fungi absorb nutrients.
Bacteria break down waste and absorb the simple nutrients.
Earthworms swallow dead leaves → break them inside their body → release nutrient-rich soil.s swallow dead leaves → break them inside their body → release nutrient-rich soil.