In three to five sentences, describe what would happen to ecosystems if decomposers did not exist on Earth. Make sure your explanation includes a definition of decomposers.

Answer 1

Decomposers are organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organic material and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. Without decomposers, dead plants and animals would accumulate, leading to a buildup of waste and nutrients locked in organic matter instead of being made available to living organisms. This would disrupt nutrient cycling, resulting in soil depletion and a decline in plant growth, which would subsequently affect herbivores and their predators, ultimately destabilizing entire ecosystems. The absence of decomposers would therefore lead to a less productive environment, severely diminishing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience over time.