What term describes the role of organisms that remove organic material from the environment?

The term that describes the role of organisms that remove organic material from the environment is "Decomposers." Decomposers, such as fungi and bacteria, play a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead organic matter, including plants and animals, into simpler substances. This process recycles nutrients, making them available for use by other organisms, particularly producers like plants. By decomposing organic material, these organisms help maintain the health of ecosystems and ensure the cycling of essential nutrients, thus supporting overall biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

Producers, on the other hand, are organisms that create their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, while detritivores consume decomposing organic material but do not break it down at the microscopic level as decomposers do. Predators are organisms that hunt and consume other living organisms, which is a different ecological role focused on population control rather than nutrient recycling.