Decomposers and Nutrients
What are organisms that break down dead plants and animals?
Decomposers
Plants need three essential components to grow, including nutrients, air, and this
water
When decomposers break down dead organisms, energy flows into the ecosystem and becomes available to this group of organisms.
Replanting trees to restore a forest ecosystem and combat climate change is known as this
Reforestation
This activity reduces biodiversity by destroying ecosystems and removing habitats
Deforestation
Decomposers like fungi, bacteria, and earthworms recycle these three essential nutrients into the soil.
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
This type of soil is rich in nutrients and promotes the healthy growth of plants.
Decomposers are essential for this process, which makes nutrients available to plants
Energy flow
This restoration technique focuses on reintroducing native species to support the balance of ecosystems.
Species reintroduction
The release of these harmful substances into the environment causes pollution.
Chemicals
Without decomposers, plants in this type of soil grow much slower because of nutrient deficiency
Nutrient poor soil
This process, essential for plant growth, involves plants absorbing nutrients from the soil to create energy and body matter.
Photosynthesis
Plants and decomposers work together to do this in an ecosystem.
Support the flow of matter
This important habitat type filters water and provides shelter for many species.
Wetlands
This phenomenon, caused by human activity, leads to global temperature increases, affecting ecosystems.
When decomposers break down dead organic matter, they release this element into the soil, which is necessary for plant growth.
Nitrogen
Plants in nutrient-poor soil show this symptom, indicating insufficient nutrients for growth
Yellowing of the leaves
In the energy flow, energy moves from producers through consumers and eventually back to these organisms.
Decomposers
Protecting wetlands in an ecosystem helps maintain balance by filtering this from water
Pollution
The imbalance caused by this activity results in the loss of species and disrupts ecosystem services.
Pollution
Decomposers affect energy flow in ecosystems by turning food molecules from dead organisms into this type of molecules used by plants and other organisms
Body molecules
In a healthy ecosystem, decomposers release nutrients into the soil to help plants do this.
Make food molecules
Decomposers in ecosystems are important because they recycle this vital resource for plant growth.
Nutrients
This is the goal of ecosystem restoration efforts.
Help damaged ecosystems recover and thrive
Protecting this habitat type from human development helps maintain biodiversity and supports many species.
Wetlands