Transcript The Role of Decomposers in the Ecosystem

The Role of
Decomposers in the
Ecosystem
Science 8
9/ 17 /07
What are
Decomposers?
 Decomposers:
 (defined)
Organisms that
use dead plant
and material as
food.
Niche
Decomposers break down
material, getting the energy they
need to live and releasing elements
back into the environment to be
reused by other organisms.
Decomposers at Work
Decomposers
are….
 Simple plants
such as bacteria
and fungi. Most
are microscopic
organisms
Decomposers in the
Pond Ecosystem
 Located everywhere
but more abundant at
the bottom. Dead
plants and animals
settle.
 That is why the pond
muck smelled bad
Decomposers in the
Forest
 In the forest
abundant in the
top layers of the
soil
Niche 2
 Decomposer are
the janitors of
nature.
 Composting