Decomposers

What Is a Decomposer?

Word of the Week

Decomposer

Decomposers are organisms that break down dead matter, like dead plants, animals, and scat, into nutrients. The nutrients produced by decomposers help plants grow.


Bacteria, fungi, and some animals (like earthworms) are decomposers.

Species Spotlight

Earthworm

Suborder: Lumbricina

If you dig in the garden, you will likely find a wiggly earthworm. Earthworms live in cool, damp soil, so a garden is the perfect place for them. Like all worms, earthworms have no bones; they are invertebrates. Unlike some other invertebrates that have an exoskeleton (like a crab), earthworms are soft and squishy. This makes them vulnerable to predators, like birds, frogs, and moles. While they don’t have a hard exoskeleton to protect themselves, some earthworms can regrow part of their body if it gets bitten off!


Earthworms also have a hard time seeing predators coming because they do not have eyes. They also do not have a nose. However, earthworms can detect lightness and darkness using special cells on their back and can detect chemicals (smell) using special cells near their mouth.


Earthworms are some of the best creepy crawlies to have in your garden because they are decomposers. As earthworms wiggle through the soil, they eat dead matter, like fallen leaves and stems. They return the nutrients from their food to the soil in their… well, poop. Plants absorb the nutrients from earthworm poop with their roots. The nutrients encourage plants to grow and make flowers and fruit. Without decomposers, plants would have a much harder time surviving.

Learn About a GIANT Earthworm
Conservation Corner

The Benefits of an Unraked Yard

In the fall, many parts of the world become covered in a blanket of red, yellow, and orange leaves. All these leaves on the ground bring people out of their homes to complete one large task - raking. But why do people rake anyway? And what happens to the leaves?


Most people rake to protect their yards. When leaves pile up, it can damage the grass underneath. However, some leaf litter in your yard can be good. As it decomposes, it adds nutrients to the soil, which helps grass grow.


What happens to the raked-up leaves depends on where someone lives. Different cities have different programs for leaf collection. Some cities have a department that collects bags, bins, or piles of leaves that people leave near the street. However, some cities don’t have programs for leaf collection, and the leaves end up in the trash.


Regardless of whether your city has a leaf collection program or not, you can still use fallen leaves to your advantage at home!

  • Leave the leaves: As they get mowed with a lawn mower, they will break into smaller pieces that will decompose and help your grass grow.
  • Add them to your garden: Adding decaying leaves to your garden beds will add nutrients as they break down over time.
  • Add them to a compost bin: Dried leaves are a great addition to compost piles. Make sure you have some worms in there!
BRAIN BLAST

Research your city or county to see what kind of programs they offer for yard waste, like leaves! If they don't offer a program, brainstorm another way you can sustainably get rid of yard waste.

To Decompose... Or Not to Decompose

Identify if each organism below is a decomposer by dragging it to the correct category.

To Decompose... Printable

Decomposers Challenge

Explore the differences between decomposers and primary producers using the packet below.


Materials:

  • Packet
  • Scissors
  • Glue/tape
  • Pen/pencil

Glossary

Bacteria

A microscopic, single-celled organism.

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead matter and returns nutrients to the soil.

Detritivore

An animal that feeds on dead matter and returns nutrients to the soil (a type of decomposer).

Fungus

(Plural: Fungi) An organism that feeds on organic matter and reproduces with spores.

Nutrients

Substances that plants and animals need to grow and remain healthy.

Nutrient Cycle

The process of nutrients moving throughout the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.

Photosynthesis

The process of plants using energy from the sun to produce food from carbon dioxide and water.

Producer

An organism that can use energy from the sun to produce food for themselves (most plants).

Share by: