Did You Know?

Nature’s recyclers feed on dead organisms and waste and carry out the process of decomposition. The recycling process changes materials that are complicated to reuse (complex) into simpler ones that can be used again. There are many different organisms that spend their entire lives recycling for nature. These recyclers each have their own specific “job” and just as they are responsible for turning dead plants and animals back into reusable materials, so are we as humans responsible for turning garbage back into reusable materials.

Woodlice and snails chew up leaves while plants provide the air with more oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide. Ferns and mosses grow in a substance formed by rotten leaves. Bacteria rots food, ants bury rubbish and mold breaks down bread. Every organism has its part to play!

Scavengers

A scavenger is an animal that feeds on dead plants or animals. Vultures, sea gulls and hyenas are all examples of scavengers. They help break down or reduce the organic material into smaller pieces that are then eaten by decomposers which break them down into chemical parts. Without these larger scavengers, dead material would lie around for weeks before flies or maggots could get rid of the carcasses.

Decomposers

A decomposer is an organism that carries out the process of decay or breaks down a dead organism. The process of breaking down complex living matter into a simpler form is known as decomposition. The two main decomposers in an ecosystem are bacteria and fungi that feed on dead matter. Fungi and mushrooms grow hairy threads that dissolve wood and leaves to provide their food while bacteria rots food.

People have much to learn from nature and we can use nature’s recyclers as an example to ensure that we also recycle and reuse as much of our waste as possible. The activity based projects section is jam packed with ideas on how this can be done.