noun
- an organism (such as a bacterium or fungus) that breaks down dead organic matter into simpler substances
Usage: biology
Examples
- Bacteria and fungi are important decomposers in forest ecosystems.
- Without decomposers, dead leaves would pile up indefinitely.
- The decomposer breaks down fallen logs into nutrients for the soil.
- Earthworms act as decomposers by processing organic waste.
- Students studied how decomposers recycle nutrients in nature.
- The food web includes producers, consumers, and decomposers.