Solution

Decomposers break down complex organic matter into inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, water and nutrients and the process is called decomposition. The important steps in the process of decomposition are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralisation. · Detritivores (e.g., earthworm) break down detritus into smaller particles. This process is called fragmentation. · By the process of leaching, water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts. · Bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade detritus into simpler inorganic substances. This process is called as catabolism. Humification and mineralisation occur during decomposition in the soil. · Humification leads to accumulation of a dark-coloured amorphous substance called humus that is highly resistant to microbial action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate. Being colloidal in nature it serves as a reservoir of nutrients. · The humus is further degraded by some microbes and release of inorganic nutrients occur by the process known as mineralisation.