What role do decomposers play in primary and secondary succession

A group of organisms so similar to each other that they can breed and produce fertile offspring. Communities ... Decomposers  What do you primary secondary and tertiary consumers eat  What role do lichens play in primary succession.

The role of decomposers in primary and secondary succession is to recycle nutrients in wastes and dead organisms.

Further Explanation: Types of Ecological succession; Primary succession This is a type of succession that takes place in lifeless areas as a result of disturbances such as glaciers, lava flow from volcanoes, sand dunes, etc. These regions are not capable of sustaining life of organisms as a result of the disturbances caused by those factors. Secondary succession   Secondary succession is an ecological succession that results from disturbances such as forest fires, abandoned field or after occurrence of floods. The difference between the two types of ecological succession is the fact that; primary succession starts with bare rocks while secondary succession starts with existing soil and dirt. Additionally, it takes about a thousand years for primary succession to develop while secondary succession takes about a 100 or more years to develop. Decomposers Decomposers are organisms that degrade materials in dead organisms and wastes to create nutrients for the soil.  Dead organic material is broken down into water, minerals, carbon dioxide and other chemicals that can be consumed by plants. Therefore, nutrients obtained from the dead organisms and wastes are recycled back into the soil to be used by producers. Other roles of decomposers in an ecosystem include, nitrogen fixation, nitrogen and carbon recycling and maintenance of the ecosystem by cleaning up dead material through decomposing it and recycling nutrients into the soil.

Keywords: Decomposers, succession

Learn more about:  Decomposers and their roles: Primary succession: Secondary succession:

Level: High school  

Subject: Biology  

Topic: Ecological succession

Sub-topic: Decomposers  

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