Differentiate between decomposers and scavengers. Related: NCERT Solu...
Scavenging is a type of feeding behaviour in which an animal feeds on either a dead animal or dead plant matter. Scavengers are the animals that show scavenging habits. Scavengers’ role is vital for the functioning of an ecosystem as they contribute to the decomposition by giving a start to it. Then after words, decomposers and detritus feeders complete the decomposition process.
Moreover, scavengers do not spend energy to kill their prey, but they sense the smell of food on which they can feed. Vultures, burying beetle, racoons, jackals, and hyenas are some prime examples of animal scavengers. Termites and earthworms are good examples of plant scavengers. While the scavengers act on the dead animals and plants, they break them into small pieces of organic materials. Thus, scavengers start the decomposing process. Also, big helpers for the decomposition process are the scavengers, while detritus feeders are the small helpers.
Decomposition is a process that small organisms act on dead plants and animals biomass to convert those into molecular levels. Accordingly, decomposers are the organisms that contribute to the decomposition process. Fungi are the primary decomposers in a forest, while bacteria are also good examples. They are microscopic more often than not. However, the dead matter has to be exposed for bacteria to be able to act upon, while fungi can decompose any dead biomass because of their penetrability. Apart from that, enzymes to decompose lignin in wood are present only in fungi. Decomposers release the organic and inorganic molecules in the form of nutrients for the plants and animals. Thus, this process is vital for the recycling of the resources inside an ecosystem.