What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Decomposers play a crucial role in maintaining the health of ecosystems by breaking down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, as well as waste products. During this process, decomposers, which include fungi, bacteria, and certain insects, convert complex organic materials into simpler substances.

This breakdown releases essential nutrients back into the soil, making them available for uptake by plants, which is vital for plant growth. Without decomposers, organic matter would accumulate, and nutrients would remain locked away, leading to an imbalance in the ecosystem. This nutrient cycling is fundamental for sustaining the various levels of the food chain, as it supports plant life, which, in turn, supports herbivores and various carnivores.

The other options highlight functions that do not accurately represent the unique and essential role of decomposers in ecosystems. For example, while some organisms do consume plants for energy, this is a role fulfilled by primary consumers rather than decomposers. Similarly, while competition is a factor in ecosystems, the primary function of decomposers is not to outcompete other organisms but rather to facilitate nutrient recycling. Finally, providing shelter for animals is accomplished by other structures and organisms within the ecosystem and does not directly relate to the