In the absence of decomposers, ecosystem functioning is adversely affected due to

Options

A. Blocking of energy flow
B. Blocking of mineral cycling
C. Blocking of solar energy to herbivores
D. Rate of decomposition of other components will increase

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution

1. **Understanding the Ecosystem Components**:
- An ecosystem consists of various components, including producers (plants), consumers (herbivores, carnivores), and decomposers (fungi, bacteria). Each of these plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

2. **Role of Decomposers**:
- Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter and waste products. They play a vital role in recycling nutrients back into the soil, which is essential for plant growth.

3. **Nutrient Cycling**:
- In a functioning ecosystem, nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and other minerals are continuously recycled. Producers absorb these nutrients from the soil, and when they die or produce waste, decomposers break down this material, returning the nutrients to the soil.

4. **Impact of Absence of Decomposers**:
- If decomposers are absent, dead organic matter and waste products would accumulate in the ecosystem. This would lead to a shortage of available nutrients in the soil, as there would be no mechanism to recycle them back into the ecosystem.

5. **Consequences for Producers and Consumers**:
- Without decomposers, plants (producers) would struggle to obtain the necessary nutrients from the soil, leading to reduced plant growth. Consequently, this would affect the entire food chain, as consumers (herbivores and carnivores) rely on plants for food.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the absence of decomposers adversely affects ecosystem functioning by disrupting nutrient cycling, leading to nutrient depletion in the soil, which ultimately impacts the entire food web.