What are decomposers?
You might ask, what are decomposers? Well, decomposers are different plants and sometimes animals that break down dead plants and animals. But, for Antarctica, decomposers might be a little different than the ones that grow somewhere tropical. So come and learn about the 3 main decomposers of Antarctica!
Bacteria
Bacteria is one of the 3 main decomposers of Antarctica. Most decomposers are big enough so we can see them. But, bacteria is so small, that humans can’t see it with the naked eye. We would need a microscope to see something that small. Even though we can’t see it, we still know it’s there. What bacteria does is, it breaks down dead plants and animals and puts the nutrients in the soil. But how does it survive it it’s putting all the nutrients in the soil? Well, not all the nutrients go into the soil. Bacteria saves some nutrients for itself so it can survive. After the dead plants and animals bacteria is in the ground, it gets into the air! When the bacteria is in the air, the whole process starts again.
Fungi
Fungi is another decomposer in Antarctica. In some ways, it is like bacteria. But the biggest difference of all is, fungi can be seen! We need a microscope to see bacteria, but not for fungi! But like bacteria, fungi breaks down dead animals and plants. But fungi does it in a different way. There is fungi all over the world. Some might grow on trees. Some might even grow on top of water! But the fungi in Antarctica grows on rocks. Fungi is a plant. You might think, if fungi is a plant, how come it grows on rocks. Well, there is no other place that fungi can grow. There are no trees in Antarctica. The water is to cold, so the fungi would die if it grew on the water. Did you know that fungi and other decomposers recycle dead plants and animals? It’s pretty cool. Fungi might be a weird plant, but it sure does help its ecosystem.
Worms
You might say, worms are not a decomposers, they are just bugs! Well believe it or not, worms actually are decomposers. They do the same thing that bacteria and fungi do. But, fungi can’t go into the ground, or else it will die. Bacteria from dead plants and animals does go into the soil after it breaks down the dead plants and animals. But worms are the only decomposer of Antarctica that actually lives in the ground. Worms are animals. So they don’t really sound like a decomposer. When you think of decomposers, you probably think of planet and bacteria, not animals. Well, worms just decompose dead plants and animals in different ways. Did you know that worms turn dead plants and animals into a chemical nutrients. You probably never thought a worm could do that. So next time you see a worm in your backyard, think of all it does for the environment.
Did you learn about decomposers?
So, did you learn anything new about the three main decomposers of Antarctica?
If you did, you might want to take a look in your backyard to see if you can spot any decomposers. Decomposers are all around the world helping the environment in ways you could not even imagine. Maybe you could watch a worm dig in the ground. But now you know that it is doing something much more than just digging.
If you did, you might want to take a look in your backyard to see if you can spot any decomposers. Decomposers are all around the world helping the environment in ways you could not even imagine. Maybe you could watch a worm dig in the ground. But now you know that it is doing something much more than just digging.