Name: Balance in Nature
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 4 min 55 s
Description: The future of humans is doomed if immediate action is not taken. Environmental balance is the only way humans can prevent disaster. Watch and learn about env...

Question

What are decomposers? What is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem ?

Accepted Answer

Decomposers involve saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They directly grow on the dead and decaying organic matter. Decomposers are vital for the ecosystem as they help in recycling nutrients to be reused by plants. Being microscopic, they are also called micro consumers. Decomposers secrete enzymes to degrade organic materials.
The process of decomposition yields two types of substances:
(i) Simple soluble organic substances that are absorbed by the saprophytes.
(ii) Inorganic nutrients: The release of inorganic nutrients is called mineralisation. They are absorbed by plants for the manufacture of food.

Role of a decomposer in the ecosystem:

First, they play as a cleansing agent of the ecosystem by decomposing dead plants and animals.

They help in reclaiming the nutrients.

They give space for new being in the biosphere by decomposing the dead.

They help put back the various elements into water, soil and air for the reuse of the producers like crop plants.

What are decomposers? What is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem ?

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