What Happens to Dead Things?
Nature creates zero waste. When plants and animals die, they don’t just pile up. They are cleaned up by a special group of organisms.
Decomposers (Saprotrophs)
These include Fungi (like mushrooms) and Bacteria.
- Action: They break down complex dead organic matter into simple substances.
- Result: Nutrients are released back into the soil.
- Cycle: Plants use these recycled nutrients from the soil to grow again.
The Cycle of Life:
- Producers take nutrients from soil.
- Consumers eat producers.
- Producers and Consumers die.
- Decomposers break them down.
- Nutrients return to soil.
Note
Scavengers vs. Decomposers
- Scavengers (like Vultures, Crows, Hyenas) eat dead animals chunks and clean the environment visibly.
- Decomposers break down the remains at a microscopic level chemically.
Importance of Decomposers
Without decomposers:
- Dead bodies and waste would pile up forever.
- The soil would run out of nutrients.
- New plants would not be able to grow.