Brock Biology: Of Microorganisms 17th Edition

One of the most critical roles of microorganisms is decomposition. Microbes such as bacteria and fungi break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment. This process is essential for the cycling of nutrients, as it allows nutrients to be reused by other living organisms. Without microorganisms, dead plants and animals would accumulate, and nutrients would become locked up, making them unavailable to other organisms. As noted in Brock Biology of Microorganisms, "decomposition is a critical component of the global carbon cycle" (Madigan et al., 2020).