What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

• A. They are top predators
• B. They break down dead material and recycle nutrients
• C. They produce energy for plants
• D. They provide pollination

Answer: (B)

Decomposers recycle nutrients in an ecosystem by breaking down dead material and waste. They turn complex organic matter into simpler inorganic nutrients that plants can absorb, helping to replenish soil and keep the nutrient cycle moving. Without this recycling, nutrients would remain locked in dead matter and producers wouldn’t get what they need to grow. This role is different from top predators, which hunt other organisms; plants gain energy from sunlight through photosynthesis, not from decomposers; and pollination is done by organisms that move pollen between flowers. So, the key function is breaking down dead material and recycling nutrients.