How do decomposers contribute to the carbon cycle?

Decomposers play a vital role in the carbon cycle by breaking down organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler organic and inorganic substances. Through this process of decomposition, decomposers—like bacteria and fungi—release carbon stored in organic materials back into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. This recycling of carbon is crucial because it ensures that carbon is continually made available for other processes, such as photosynthesis in plants. Thus, without the action of decomposers, carbon would remain locked in dead organic matter, disrupting the balance of the carbon cycle and limiting the availability of this essential element for living organisms.

While the other options touch on important ecological processes, they do not accurately represent the specific role of decomposers in the carbon cycle. Fixing nitrogen relates to different processes involving nitrogen-fixing bacteria, direct consumption of carbon dioxide pertains to photosynthetic organisms, and oxygen production during decomposition is not a primary function of decomposers. The correct answer highlights the essential function of decomposers in recycling carbon, emphasizing their contribution to maintaining the flow and balance of carbon within ecosystems.