Question

Fungi compose a very minor component of life in marine ecosystems yet are vital to the health of terrestrial ones. This is primarily due to their ability to:

Answer 1

Break down lignin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The continual slow degradation of the phenolic portions of lignin (humic acids) provides a long-term supply of nutrients to plants. Phytoplankton (the primary producers in aquatic systems) do not synthesize appreciable amounts of lignin, and so fungi are not necessary to decompose it!