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Decomposers
This category covers questions about decomposers, organisms that break down other dead or decaying organisms to obtain energy for growth and development. Decomposers are formally known as saprotrophs.
510 Questions
Can someone give me decomposers that live in grasslands?
Decomposers that are found in grasslands are most commonly Fungi, such as mushrooms, bacteria, beetles, earthworms, flies, and, some other insects.
How nan decomposers help the consumers and producers stay alive?
Decomposers break down dead organisms, which turns them into fertilizers that can aid plant growth and return the energy to the food chain, and thus provides more food and energy for animals (consumers). When the plants and animals die, they themselves are decomposed, and the cycle begins again.
bacteria and fungi
microorganisms
Nothing follows it, so this question becomes awfully hard to answer.
However, I can tell you that earthworms, fungi, and some bacteria are de-composers, returning nutrients to the environment by breaking down dead organic matter.
Organic matter could include anything from a dead deer to a rotten tree.
Is spinach a producer consumer or decomposer?
Spinach is a green plant. All green plants are producers.
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
Which cycle are decomposers found?
in a food chain or food web , at the very bottom . The food web consists in this order , from bottom to top - decomposers , producers , then herbivores , carnivores , and omnivores , as well as scavengers. Decomposers are things like bacteria - which is found almost anywhere , and fungi - more commonly known as mushrooms.
What happens to the minerals after decomposers consume dead organisms?
After decomposers consume dead organisms, the minerals in the organism's tissues are released back into the environment as nutrients. These nutrients can then be recycled and taken up by plants, starting the nutrient cycle again.
What is importance of autotrophs and decomposers in regards to an ecosystem's?
Autotrophs can make their own energy. They don't rely on other organisms to survive. Without decomposers, there would be dead carcasses of animals everywhere, and it would really stink. The decomposers can help clean this mess up by using the decaying material as food.
