Question

What are decomposers? Explain how the decomposers (i) keep the environment clean, and also (ii) replenish the soil nutrients.

Answer 1

Step 1: What are decomposers?
Decomposers are organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and certain insects, that break down dead organic matter (like plants, animals, and waste) into simpler substances. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and maintaining the balance of nature.

Step 2: How decomposers keep the environment clean
Decomposers help in cleaning the environment by breaking down dead plants, animals, and other organic matter that would otherwise accumulate. This process not only prevents the buildup of waste but also removes harmful substances, converting them into harmless or useful components like carbon dioxide, water, and various nutrients.

By decomposing dead organic matter, decomposers ensure that the ecosystem remains free of excessive waste and dead material, contributing to a cleaner environment.

Step 3: How decomposers replenish soil nutrients
Decomposers break down complex organic compounds in dead plants and animals into simpler forms such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and carbon. These nutrients are essential for plant growth and are returned to the soil, replenishing the nutrients that plants use to grow.

For example, nitrogen is released from dead bodies and waste through decomposition, enriching the soil with nitrogen compounds that plants need for healthy growth. This process ensures the continuous fertility of the soil, enabling plants to thrive and the cycle of life to continue.

Conclusion:
Decomposers play an essential role in maintaining a clean environment by breaking down dead matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil, ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems and the replenishment of soil nutrients.