Question

State the function of decomposers in the ecosystem.

Answer 1

Hint: In an ecosystem, the decomposers are those organisms that break down the dead plants and animals in order to recycle the nutrients in them. The ecosystem requires recycling to function, they could not function without the decomposers. Think of what all processes will be required to keep the ecosystem functioning.

Complete answer:
There are many substances that are very crucial in the food chain and are available in dead plants and animals but are in shortage in nature. For example, carbons in carbohydrates, nitrogen in proteins, calcium in minerals, etc., these all will be lost if they are not extracted and will become rare. The decomposers help the extraction process by breaking down these substances.
The building blocks of animal fats, proteins and carbohydrates are obtained by breaking down the sugar and carbohydrates. The consumer level plants depend on the decomposers as they break down the organic material from the dead bodies and those are taken by the soil. The consumers take energy from food, excretion is carried out and the waste is gone for the food chain. Hence, a nutrient cycle can be seen as ingestion, excretion and recycling.
Only decomposition does not help in functioning, a form must be adhered so that the nutrients can be absorbed by other organisms as well. For example, bacteria transform nitrogen in a suitable form to be used by the organisms. The nitrogen from the atmosphere is converted into nitrates, nitrites and ammonia by bacteria and can be useful for plants.
Decomposers maintain the ecosystem by processing the dead material and giving the soil required nutrients.

Note:
Remember that decomposers are heterotrophic, meaning they use organic materials to get energy and nutrients. Decomposers are sometimes called detritivores but there is a difference between them. Decomposers get energy from external chemical processes whereas detritivores ingest and digest internally.