What is the primary role of scavengers in an ecosystem?

The primary role of scavengers in an ecosystem is to clean up dead organic matter. By consuming the remains of dead plants and animals, scavengers play a vital role in nutrient cycling, which helps break down and recycle nutrients back into the soil. This activity prevents the accumulation of dead material in the environment, ensuring a more balanced ecosystem.

Scavengers contribute to the health of their habitats by aiding decomposition, thus promoting soil fertility and supporting plant growth. This interaction highlights the interconnectedness of food webs, as scavengers directly relate to other species, including predators and decomposers, in maintaining ecosystem dynamics.

In contrast, the other options involve different ecological roles that do not align with the functions of scavengers. For instance, hunting live prey is associated with predators, competition with herbivores pertains to different feeding strategies among species, and pollination is primarily the role of certain insects and animals, not scavengers. Each of these roles is important in its own right, but none fulfill the specific function of scavenging.