Invisible Web Workers

The most important food web members are often the least visible. Decomposers — fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates — break down dead matter and recycle nutrients back into the soil for plants to reuse. Without them, nutrients would stay locked in dead tissue.

Many tree roots also partner with mycorrhizal fungi, which trade nutrients with the plant in exchange for sugars. Some researchers think these fungi link neighboring trees into shared networks, though how widespread and helpful that sharing really is remains debated.