Final answer:
Biogeochemical cycles involve the recycling of nutrients like carbon and nitrogen through soil, decomposers, and other living things. Decomposers break down dead organisms, releasing nutrients back into the soil for use by plants and entering the food chain. These cycles sustain the stability and balance of ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cycle involving soil, decomposers, and other living things is known as a biogeochemical cycle. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, play a critical role in these cycles by breaking down dead organisms and animal wastes. This process recycles nutrients like carbon and nitrogen back into the soil, where they can be taken up by plants. These nutrients then enter the food chain, supporting plant and animal growth.
Decomposers, including bacteria and fungi, use organic material as a source of energy and nutrients, contributing to the stability of ecosystems. Without decomposers, dead material would accumulate, and essential nutrients would be locked within them, unavailable to producers. Therefore, decomposers are crucial in maintaining the balance of nutrients in the ecosystem.
Biogeochemical cycles like the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and water cycle are essential for life on Earth. They all represent the continuous exchange of water and nutrients between the biotic and abiotic components of the planet, demonstrating the connected nature of all living and non-living elements within an ecosystem.