How do decomposers affect nutrient availability in soil and plant growth?

How do decomposers affect nutrient availability in soil and plant growth?

• A. They lock nutrients in dead matter forever.
• B. They break down organic material, releasing nutrients for plant uptake.
• C. They increase soil compaction.
• D. They reduce soil moisture holding capacity.

Answer: (B)

Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down dead plant and animal material, returning nutrients to the soil in forms plants can absorb. This mineralization makes essential elements like nitrogen and phosphorus available for uptake by roots, which supports healthy plant growth. The other ideas don’t fit because decomposers don’t keep nutrients locked away permanently, and their activity isn’t primarily about increasing soil compaction or reducing the soil’s ability to hold moisture.