The role of decomposers in the ecosystem is crucial as they break down organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil. Decomposers, including fungi and bacteria, digest dead plants and animals, as well as waste products, facilitating nutrient cycling and maintaining ecosystem health. This process enriches the soil, promoting plant growth and sustaining food webs. Without decomposers, ecosystems would be overwhelmed by organic waste, leading to decreased productivity and disrupted ecological balance.