Recycling of Materials by Decomposers

1. Recycling of Materials by Decomposers Sara B. (5-1-12) 9TH Grade ~Why are decomposers important to an ecosystem?~

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Fungi • A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and moldsas well as mushrooms.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. ~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.

9. 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.

10. *Decomposers Video* • http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.oate.decompose/

11. 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.

12. Extra Vocabulary… • 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

13. $ Extra Pictures $ Decomposers in different climates and settings.