Which organism plays a critical role in nutrient cycling and decomposition?

Detrivores play a critical role in nutrient cycling and decomposition because they feed on decomposing organic material, such as dead plants and animals, as well as waste products. By breaking down these materials into simpler substances, detrivores help recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, making them available for producers like plants. This process is fundamental for sustaining healthy ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are continuously cycled through different forms and organisms.

Producers convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, while herbivores and carnivores primarily focus on energy transfer within food chains rather than processing organic matter. Although all these organisms contribute to ecosystem dynamics, the specific action of detrivores in decomposition and nutrient recycling is what makes them particularly critical in this context.