decomposer
Ecological term for organisms (bacteria, fungi, etc.) that break down dead organic matter.
菌類は生態系で分解者として重要な役割を果たす。
Fungi play an important role as decomposers in the ecosystem.
Refers to consumers (animals) that eat other organisms, while decomposers break down dead matter.
Formed from 分解 “decomposition” and the agent suffix 者; in ecology, it denotes an organism that breaks down organic matter.