Why are decomposers and detritivores essential parts of all food webs?

• A. They provide oxygen through photosynthesis.
• B. They recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.
• C. They convert solar energy into chemical energy.
• D. They are primary producers that support herbivores.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of decomposers and detritivores in an ecosystem. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down dead organic matter, while detritivores, like earthworms and some insects, consume detritus (decomposing plant and animal parts).
2. Recognize that decomposers and detritivores are not involved in photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
3. Acknowledge that decomposers and detritivores are not primary producers. Primary producers, such as plants and algae, are organisms that produce biomass from inorganic compounds, typically through photosynthesis.
4. Identify the main function of decomposers and detritivores: recycling nutrients. They break down complex organic materials into simpler substances, returning essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus back into the soil and water, making them available for uptake by plants.
5. Conclude that the recycling of nutrients by decomposers and detritivores is crucial for maintaining the balance of ecosystems, as it ensures the continuous availability of nutrients necessary for the growth of primary producers, which in turn support herbivores and higher trophic levels.