What do decomposers do

Decomposers and scavengers break down dead plants and animals. They also break down the waste poop of other organisms. Decomposers are very important for any ecosystem. If they weren't in the ecosystem, the plants would not get essential nutrients, and dead matter and waste would pile up. Some bacteria are harmful and cause diseases like typhoid and cholera. Other bacteria are helpful. You have bacteria in your digestive tract that kills more harmful bacteria. Some ruminants like moose, sheep, and deer have bacteria in their stomachs that help them digest plants.

Bacteria help turn milk into cheese, cucumbers into pickles and cabbage into sauerkraut. Other bacteria help decompose dead plants and animals. You Scratch My Back Most species of legumes alfalfa, lentils, beans, chick-peas, peas, peanuts and bacteria have a symbiotic relationship. A symbiotic relationship is one in which two species benefit each other.

The roots of most of these plants have a nitrogen-fixing bacteria, rhizobium , that changes nitrogen in the air into the nitrates the plants need to synthesize proteins.

Rhizobium bacteria invade the root hairs of the plants. They multiply and help root nodules grow. Humus is dark, organic material that forms in soil when plant and animal matter decays. When plants drop leaves, twigs, and other material to the ground, it piles up. An illustration gallery and information on the African savannah ecosystem. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students.

Skip to content. Image Millipede Detritivore While decomposers break down dead, organic materials, detritivores—like millipedes, earthworms, and termites—eat dead organisms and wastes. Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google Classroom. Encyclopedic Entry Vocabulary. Media Credits The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit.

Media If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. Text Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Interactives Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. Related Resources. Food Chains and Webs. View Collection. Plastic Pollution. View Article. They are all living things that get energy by eating dead animals and plants and breaking down wastes of other animals.

Compostable or biodegradable waste is waste from once living organisms that can be broken down and recycled by decomposers.

List and identify examples of decomposers and describe their role within a simple food web. See activities for materials. Producers e. Consumers e. Scavengers and decomposers get their energy by eating dead plants or animals.

Living organisms require these nutrients to create cells, tissues and to provide energy for life processes. The decomposers complete the cycle by returning essential molecules to the plant producers.

Decomposers fungi, bacteria, invertebrates such as worms and insects have the ability to break down dead organisms into smaller particles and create new compounds. We use decomposers to restore the natural nutrient cycle through controlled composting. Decomposers are the link that keeps the circle of life in motion.