Question

based on the relationships described, what would be the most likely long - term consequence if decomposition stopped happening?
animals that eat plants would no longer be able to get energy.
the flow of energy from the sun to plants would stop immediately.
the matter needed by plants would become trapped in dead organisms and unavailable.
energy would stop flowing, but matter would continue to cycle normally.

Explanation:

Decomposers break down dead organisms and release nutrients (matter) back into the environment. Plants need these nutrients. If decomposition stopped, matter would be trapped in dead organisms. Energy flow from the sun to plants is through photosynthesis (not directly related to decomposition stopping immediately in terms of energy flow from sun - plant). Animals that eat plants get energy from plants (which could be affected long - term if plants die due to lack of nutrients, but the more direct long - term consequence related to decomposition is about matter). Energy flow is not just from sun - plant but through the food chain, and matter cycling is crucial.

Answer:

The matter needed by plants would become trapped in dead organisms and unavailable.