decomposers

• decomposers and detritivores obtain their food or energy from the remains of the dead organisms, as they feed on it they decay, returning nutrients in the dead organism back to the environment
• decomposers include bacteria and fungi which break down dead plant and animal material into a substance called humus.
• humus enriches the soil and improves the structure of soil in plants
• detritivores feed on small fragments of dead material called detritus eg wood lice
• decomposers and detritivores are all saprophytes