When plants and animals die, they do not stay around for ever. Decomposers break them down. Bacteria, fungi such as mushrooms, and animals such as worms and woodlice feed on dead leaves, dead animals and waste.
Decomposers are nature's recyclers. As they feed, they put nutrients back into the soil. Plants take in these nutrients through their roots and use them to grow. Then animals eat the plants and the cycle continues. A compost heap uses decomposers to turn kitchen scraps into rich soil. Without decomposers, the ground would be covered with dead things and plants would run out of nutrients.
Worked example
Why does a log on the forest floor slowly crumble away?
- Fungi and bacteria feed on the dead wood.
- Insects and woodlice break it into smaller pieces.
Answer:The log is decomposed and its nutrients go back into the soil.
Key words
- decomposer
- a living thing that breaks down dead material
- bacteria
- tiny living things, too small to see
- fungi
- mushrooms, moulds and their relatives
- nutrients
- substances plants need from the soil
New questions every time.
NGSS-referenced: 5-LS2-1