7. Which organisms most directly.provide an inorganic nutrient pool in ecosystems? A- decomposers B- producers C- consumers D- scavengers

## Step 1<br />The question is asking which organisms most directly provide an inorganic nutrient pool in ecosystems. The options are decomposers, producers, consumers, and scavengers.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down dead organisms and waste materials. This process releases nutrients back into the environment, which can be used by other organisms.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Producers, such as plants, use these nutrients to create organic compounds through photosynthesis. While they do contribute to the nutrient pool, they are not the primary source.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Consumers, such as animals, eat producers or other consumers to obtain nutrients. They do not contribute to the nutrient pool in the same way as decomposers.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Scavengers, such as vultures, eat dead organisms. While they do contribute to the nutrient pool by breaking down dead organisms, they are not the primary source.<br /><br />## Step 6<br />Therefore, the organisms that most directly provide an inorganic nutrient pool in ecosystems are decomposers.