Question

All organisms including bacteria and fungi feed on dead plants and animals. Then why are only bacteria and fungi known as decomposers?

Answer 1

Bacteria and fungi break down the dead bodies of plants and animals and return the nutrients back to the soil. This is not the case with other organisms such as scavengers. For example, if a vulture eats a dead animal, the vulture uses the nutrients in its body and the nutrients are not returned to the soil. Since, bacteria and fungi return the nutrients back to the soil, they are known as decomposers.