(Originais Teachy 2023) - Question Easy of Sciences

Natural phenomena can be considered as extremely important events for our planet, as they influence the climate and the life of the species that exist on it. For example, rains are necessary to keep the rivers and lakes full and thus ensure drinking water for all living beings that depend on it to survive. Which of the following is an example of a natural phenomenon that contributes to the balance of the Earth?

When the leaves fall from the trees, they begin to decompose on the forest floor. This decomposition process is very important for nature, as it releases nutrients that were stored in the leaves back into the soil. Fungi and bacteria play a key role in this stage of the life cycle, acting as decomposers. An experiment was conducted in a forest area where leaves from different trees were collected. Each set of leaves was placed in a separate container and kept under suitable conditions to observe decomposition. The experiment lasted several weeks and the students regularly noted the changes that occurred. At the end of the experiment, they compared the decomposition state of each set of leaves. Based on the natural cycle, the importance of decomposition, and the described experiment, what conclusion can be drawn about the role of the fungi and bacteria observed in the decomposition of leaves in the forest?