What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

• A. They pollinate flowers.
• B. They produce plants via photosynthesis.
• C. They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients.
• D. They consume living predators to control populations.

Answer: (C)

Decomposition and nutrient recycling. Decomposers, like bacteria and fungi, break down dead organisms and waste and in the process release nutrients back into the environment. These nutrients—such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon in usable forms—are then taken up by plants, fueling new growth and sustaining the whole ecosystem. This recycling keeps the soil fertile and the food web alive. Remember that energy flows from sunlight through producers and consumers and is lost as heat, but matter is recycled by decomposers. They don’t pollinate, produce energy themselves, or prey on living organisms to control populations, so the best description is that they break down dead material and recycle nutrients.