Could life on earth exist without decomposers?

Answer 1

In a world without decomposers, the world would be over run with garbage and filth. Decomposers help the environment by eating the stuff that is thrown away, deceased animals and plants, and other things that are not fit for human consumption.

Answer 2

If, through some cosmic disaster, all microbes, yeast and fungi were destroyed, then most life without these "decomposers" would end quickly.

All higher animals depend on decomposers for some aspect of digestion. The sudden absence would be like the worst case of dysentery one can imagine and death would occur for all animals in a matter of days. Animals with slower metabolism, perhaps turtles and reptiles, may take weeks to expire. (One can imagine specialized animals hibernating or otherwise surviving for years, but that does not take into account the many other interactions between animals and bacteria that would be lost besides decomposition.)

Plants would last longer, but without the processes that return nutrients to the soil, the gradual disappearance of plants may take place in a few years and one can imagine specialized vegetation that may last for centuries. (Again, this is a superficial analysis and does not look at other microbe and plant interactions.)

Photosynthetic life in salt and fresh water would fare better. In the oceans, at least, photosynthetic life did well for the first billion years or so without "decomposers." Thus, while almost everything in the ocean would suffer a fate similar to the land life forms, it is likely this would take more time and ultimately leave only a few simple photosynthetic life forms. (There are, of course, the forms of life that exist in extrmeme environments such as geothermal vents that may have advantages.)

This could be a complex question if explored further, but a little more specificity is needed concerning what the disappearance of "decomposers" really means.

Answer 3

No, life on Earth would struggle to exist without decomposers. Decomposers break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, allowing new life to thrive. Without decomposers, organic matter would accumulate and essential nutrients would be locked away, hindering the growth of plants and other organisms.

Answer 4

Yes, the nitrogen cycle is possible without decomposers. This is because nitrogen can be fixed with lightning and by bacteria living on legumes.

Answer 5

It possibly wouldnt exist, unless producers and consumers would help