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Decomposers break down dead, dying, or decaying organic material (e.g. dead animals) into their original organic components - Carbon, phosphates, nitrates, etc. and returns them to the soil. They can then be used by producers/autotrophs for growth, and are passed on to consumers, etc.

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13y ago
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13y ago

They break down the tree and break down the nutrients within tree matter. The nutrients are absorbed into the soil and used for other organisms.

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Q: How do decomposers help the ecosystem recycle nutrients when a tree dies?
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How do decomposer help the eosystem recycle nutrients when a tree dies?

The decomposers like fungi break down the organic matter into much smaller pieces so that other plants can use them again as nutrients.


What breaks down living matter once it dies?

an ecosystem


How do nutrients get into the soil?

Nutrients enter the soil when an animal dies and its body decomposes into the soil, or when a plant decomposes into the soil when it dies. And that pretty much creates nutrients. :P


In ecosystem decomposes break down dead or decaying organisms returning nutrients to the soil to be used by plants?

when the nuorganism dies the nutrient cant move or be doing what is normal does it doesnt have the power to do it


What happens to nutrients inside a living thing when it dies in a rain forest?

The decomposers in the forest will take all the nutrients from the animal and return it back to the soil for it to be used again.


Does earths ecosystem recycle?

I think earth's ecosystem recycles because the cycling of matter is the recycling of biotic and abiotic elements when they die. For eg. A rabbit(primary consumer) is eating grass for energy and eventually it dies. After a few weeks, Decomposers such as fungi breaks it down into smaller pieces for the soil for grass to grow and that is how the earth recycles.


Who benefits most directly from decomposers?

Decomposers (or saprotrophs) are organisms that consume dead organisms, and, in doing so, carry out the natural process of decomposition. Like herbivores and predators, decomposers are heterotrophic, meaning that they use organic substrates to get their energy, carbon and nutrients for growth and development. Decomposers use deceased organisms and nonliving organic compounds as their food source. The primary decomposers are bacteria and fungi. [edit] Importance of the function in the ecosystem When a plant or animal dies, it leaves behind nutrients and energy in the organic material that comprised its body. Scavenger and detritivores can feed on the carcasses or litter, but they will inevitably leave behind a considerable amount of unused energy and nutrients. Unused energy and nutrients will be present both in the unconsumed portions (bones, feathers or fur in the case of animals, wood and other indigestable litter in the case of plants) and in the feces of the scavengers and detritivores. Decomposers complete decomposition by breaking down this remaining organic matter. Decomposers eventually convert all organic matter into carbon dioxide (which they respire) and nutrients. This releases raw nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium) in a form usable to plants and algae, which incorporate the chemicals into their own cells. This process resupplies nutrients to the ecosystem, in turn allowing for greater primary production. An example of a decomposer is saprotrophic fungus; it breaks down dead trees, harvesting the energy stored therein. Although decomposers are generally located on the bottom of ecosystem diagrams such as food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids, decomposers in the biosphere are crucial to the environment. By breaking down dead material, they provide the nutrients that other organisms need to survive. As decomposers feed on dead organisms, they leave behind nutrients. These nutrients become part of the soil. Therefore, more plants can grow. [edit] Importance of the function in the ecosystem When a plant or animal dies, it leaves behind nutrients and energy in the organic material that comprised its body. Scavenger and detritivores can feed on the carcasses or litter, but they will inevitably leave behind a considerable amount of unused energy and nutrients. Unused energy and nutrients will be present both in the unconsumed portions (bones, feathers or fur in the case of animals, wood and other indigestable litter in the case of plants) and in the feces of the scavengers and detritivores. Decomposers complete decomposition by breaking down this remaining organic matter. Decomposers eventually convert all organic matter into carbon dioxide (which they respire) and nutrients. This releases raw nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium) in a form usable to plants and algae, which incorporate the chemicals into their own cells. This process resupplies nutrients to the ecosystem, in turn allowing for greater primary production. An example of a decomposer is saprotrophic fungus; it breaks down dead trees, harvesting the energy stored therein. Although decomposers are generally located on the bottom of ecosystem diagrams such as food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids, decomposers in the biosphere are crucial to the environment. By breaking down dead material, they provide the nutrients that other organisms need to survive. As decomposers feed on dead organisms, they leave behind nutrients. These nutrients become part of the soil. Therefore, more plants can grow


A riddle for ecosystem?

"What consumes but does not have a mouth, grows but will not stop, and dies to live again?"-Ecosystem


How do dead orgaisms recycle in their ecosystem?

when the organism dies it decomposes into the ground. the grass then grows form the ground which is eaten by an animal that will eventually die and once again decompose into the ground


What happens to the components of a tree after it dies?

Fungus, bacteria, insects and other animals scavenge the nutrients from the fallen tree - returning its energy back into the ecosystem.


Is a banana a decomposer?

When a plant (i.e. banana), animal, or insect dies, "decomposers" (i.e. bacteria, fungi, worms) come along to eat it; breaking "the banana" down in to tiny pieces which is then used by the soil as nutrients.


Decomposers play an important role in which matter cycle?

cycling of mattter is the amounts of nutrients available on Earth, it is to be recycled in order to ensure the extistance of biotics. After a plant or an animal dies, it leaves nutrients behind which is mixed with soil and becomes a part of the biosphere. The nutrients in the soil mixed with gases(o2...)is called nitrogen cycle.