In the context of energy flow through ecosystems, what role do decomposers primarily play?

• A. They consume producers and transfer energy to higher trophic levels as primary consumers.
• B. They fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia as their main contribution to energy flow.
• C. They break down dead organic matter and waste, recycling nutrients and making them available to producers.
• D. They capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy via photosynthesis.

Answer: (C)