Recycling of
Materials by
Decomposers
Sara B.
(5-1-12)
9TH Grade
~Why are decomposers
important to an ecosystem?~
What is a decomposer?
A
decomposer is a creature or organism
that breaks down organic matter such as
dead animals and plant materials.
 Some commonly know decomposers are
bacteria, fungi and worms.
Bacteria

Bacteria are the simplest organisms on the
planet. Bacteria are unicellular animals and are
prokaryotic. In just one spoonful of rich, dark
soil, there are more bacterial organisms than
there are human beings on the planet earth.
Fungi
A
fungus is a member of a large group of
eukaryotic organisms that includes
microorganisms such as yeasts and molds
as well as mushrooms.
Worms
 Worms
are also decomposers. Maybe one
of the most important. Without worms we
wouldn’t be able to plant or grow
anything in the soil.
How do decomposers help in recycling
the nutrients in the ecosystem?
 They
help by decomposing waste and
turning them into nutrients. For example
rotting apples in fridge decomposers
reduce the matter and release nutrients.
What would happen if
decomposers were removed from
the ecosystem?
 There
would be no organic nutrients and
all the dead plants would ruin the animal’s
habitat. The ecosystem will be filled by
plants and animal wastes as there will be
no decomposition of waste material.
~Why are decomposers
important to an ecosystem?~

The main reason that decomposers are so
important to an ecosystem is because of their
role in recycling nutrients back into the
environment. When a decomposer breaks down
decaying organic material they produce waste
material. This waste material is rich with nutrients
gained from the decaying organic matter. The
waste returns to the soil and the nutrients are
absorbed by plants. The plants are then eaten
by animals and the nutrients are passed from
the plant to the animal. Without decomposers
ecosystems would not survive due to lack of
nutrients.
Decomposers in the Food Chain


Decomposers break down organics into nutrients, which
can be used by living organisms to create new life.
They also break down dead organisms into basic
chemicals which can then be used by other organisms
to grow and build their bodies, which can then be eaten
by other organisms, thus continuing the food chain.
*Decomposers Video*
http://www.teachersdom
ain.org/resource/tdc02.sc
i.life.oate.decompose/
Fun Facts


Fungi and bacteria are not restricted to decomposing
leaves and other plant materials. They will decompose
any dead organic matter, whether it is a cardboard box,
paint, glue, pair of jeans, a leather jacket or jet fuel!
American cities produce even more garbage than
forests, and very little of it decomposes and becomes
recycled into new plant growth by natural processes.
Every resident of Los Angeles produces 7 pounds of
garbage per day! This is equal to one ton of garbage
per year per person.
Extra Vocabulary…
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Compost - noun; a mixture of decaying matter that is used for
fertilizing, verb; a process for converting organic waste into humus
Consumer - organism that eats other organisms
Cycle - a recurring sequence of events
Decomposer - any of the organisms that eat and digest dead
plants and
animals, their waste product is humus
Food Chain - how organisms use one another for food
Humus - a brown or black material that is the result of the digestion
of dead plants and animals by decomposers, rich in plant available
nutrients
Nutrient - anything that provides nourishment
Producer - level of organisms in the food chain that manufacture
their own food from carbon dioxide, water, sunlight and minerals
$ Extra Pictures $
Decomposers in different climates and settings.