Decomposers are living organisms that breaks down other living and non-living things into smaller parts. ... Decomposers can recycle dead plants and animals into chemical nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen that are released back into the soil, air and water as food for living plants and animals.
Decomposers play a critical role in the flow of energy through an ecosystem. They break apart dead organisms into simpler inorganic materials, making nutrients available to primary producers.
Decomposers, such as bacteria, fungi, termites, and earthworms, are scavengers that feed on the organic material found in dead producers and consumers. They break down the organic material to the nutrient level. Nutrients in soils are essential for producers to grow. Nutrients include nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorous. Thus, dead consumers (and producers) are recycled back into new producers.