1. Decomposers By E.T.

2. What are decomposers? Vital components of the nutrient cycle An organism, often a bacterium or fungus, that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter, thus making organic nutrients available to the ecosystem.

3. Scavengers Animals that find dead animals or plants and eat them help break down or reduce organic material into smaller pieces Examples: Flies Wasps Cockroaches Earthworms(only break down plants)

5. Bacteria

8. recycle dead plants and animals by turning them into minerals and nutrients that plants can use

10. Earthworms eat dead plants and animals

11. excrete wastes in the form of casts (rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash)

13. What would happen if decomposer's are removed from the ecosystem?

15. Bibliography New Biology for You Gareth Williams Retrieved on 8th Jane, 2011 17:53