decomposer
/ˌdiːkəmˈpoʊzər/
noun
- A living thing, such as a bacterium or fungus, that breaks down dead plants and animals into simpler substances.
- Earthworms act as decomposers by eating dead organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil.
- Without decomposers, dead leaves and animals would pile up and never rot away.
- Mushrooms are important decomposers in the forest ecosystem.