A type of detritivore. Decomposers play an important role in recycling organic matter back into inorganic nutrients in ecosystems. This recycling is done by decomposing complex organic matter and then [..]

1833, "a decomposing agent," agent noun from decompose.

organism that breaks down dead organic material.

An organism that breaks down the tissue and/or structures of dead organisms.

Any organism that helps break down dead plant and animal cells.

an organism that eats dead organic matter. Most are bacteria, algae, and fungi. They fuel the nitrogen and oxygen cycles that support all life on Earth.

an organism that converts organic matter into its inorganic chemical components which are then recycled through an ecosystem. Most common ones are bacteria and fungi.

An organism that obtains energy from decaying organic material. (See Food chain, Food web, Consumer).

An animal or microbe that uses dead plants and animals as food.

An organism that eats dead plants and animals. A decomposer may also eat the waste of other organisms. Decomposers are very important for any ecosystem, providing plants with essential nutrients, and keeping dead matter and waste from piling up.

An organism that gains energy by breaking down the final remains of living things. Predominantly bacteria and fungi, decomposers are important in freeing the last of minerals and nutrients from organics and recycling them back into the food web.

An organism that breaks down the bodies or parts of dead plant or animal matter into smaller pieces (decay). Decomposers, such as mushrooms, bacteria, and earthworms, are very important in food webs.

an organism that helps break down a dead organism

heterotrophic organism that utilizes dead organic matter as food, decomposing it into more simple substances (Glossary of PM)

An organism that feeds on and breaks down organic materials into simpler chemical compounds.

A type of stream organism, such as bacterium or fungus, that processes dead organic matter.

An organism that feeds on and breaks down organic materials into simpler chemical compounds.

an organism that feeds by breaking down organic matter from dead organisms; examples include bacteria and fungi

Heterotropic organisms in an ecosystem which obtain energy from the breakdown of dead organic matter to more simple substances.

See detritivore.