What function do decomposers serve in an ecosystem?

Decomposers play a vital role in ecosystems by breaking down dead organic material, such as fallen leaves, dead plants, and animal remains. This process is essential for recycling nutrients back into the soil, making them available for plants and other organisms to use. By decomposing these materials, decomposers, like fungi and bacteria, convert complex organic compounds into simpler substances, which enrich the soil and promote plant growth. This nutrient cycling helps maintain the balance of the ecosystem, ensuring that energy flow and matter recycling continue effectively.

While other options describe important ecological processes, they do not specifically capture the unique function of decomposers in breaking down organic matter and facilitating nutrient recycling.