Insects as Decomposers

Insects as Decomposers book cover — Table of Contents The Clean-Up Crew 4 A Day in the Tidy Life 10 Impact of Decomposers 17 Bugs for Lunch 20 Alive Thrive Strive 24 Glossary 30 Index 31 Show What You Know 31 Websites to Visit 31 About the Author 32

Insects as Decomposers — page 1 — The Clean-Up Crew Decomposers play a major role in the circle of life This clean-up crew works hard to chop shred plow and dissolve waste in the world Decomposers break down tree leaves dead flowers plants and grass Other decomposers clean up dead animals 4

Insects as Decomposers — page 2 — Decomposition is the process of breaking things down by the actions of living things This is the job description of decomposers As nature’s recyclers decomposers live on land and in water Their actions break down organic matter and release nutrients and energy They keep nutrients moving in food webs Decomposers turn decaying animals and plants into vitamin rich soil and compost They enrich the soil making it porous This enables roots to grow and allows air and water to flow to and from soil 5

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