How do millipedes primarily contribute to their ecosystem?

Millipedes play a crucial role in their ecosystem primarily through their ability to decompose organic matter. As detritivores, they feed on decaying plant material, dead leaves, and other organic debris. This process of decomposition is vital as it helps recycle nutrients back into the soil, enhancing soil fertility and promoting healthy plant growth. By breaking down complex organic materials into simpler compounds, millipedes facilitate the nutrient cycling necessary for various organisms within the ecosystem to thrive.

While pollination, predation on insects, and serving as a food source for larger animals are all important ecological interactions, they are not the primary function of millipedes. Their significant contribution is found in their decomposing activity, which supports plant life and soil health, thus maintaining the balance within the ecosystem.