What describes the role of decomposers in the benthic zone?

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Decomposers play a crucial role in the benthic zone, which is the lowest layer of a body of water, including oceans, lakes, and rivers. In this zone, decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down dead organic material, including dead plants, animals, and waste products. This process of decomposition is vital as it recycles nutrients back into the ecosystem.

As decomposers break down these materials, they release essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon back into the water and sediment. These nutrients are then available for uptake by primary producers, such as algae and aquatic plants, sustaining the overall health and productivity of the ecosystem. Without decomposers, the nutrients would remain locked in dead organic matter, leading to nutrient depletion in the environment. Thus, their function is essential to maintaining balance and supporting the food web within the benthic zone and beyond.

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