Question

What are decomposers? What will be the consequence of their absence in an ecosystem?

Answer 1

Decomposers are organisms that break down complex organic matter of dead animals and plants into simpler inorganic substances. These inorganic susbstances return to the soil and become available to producers for their use. If decomposers are not present in the ecosystem, dead organisms and waste will pile up and nutrient re-cycling will not occur. In the absence of nutrient re-cycling, soil will not be replenished and will lack most of the nutrients required by producers to synthesise their food. This, in turn, will affect the flow of energy along a food chain.