Heterotrophic organisms like bacteria and fungi act as decomposers which degrade the dead organic matter or detritus which in turn provides energy and nutrition. Decomposers secrete gastric enzymes resulting in the breakdown of dead organic matter into simple inorganic substances which are then absorbed in the soil and used by producers to grow. Hence if the decomposers are removed from the ecosystem, nutrients will not be available to producers which block the flow of minerals from producers to consumers.