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# These Death-Eating Scavengers Are Real Life-Savers
- URL: https://www.cascadepbs.org/show/its-okay-be-smart/specials/these-death-eating-scavengers-are-real-life-savers-rkn7mn/
- Published: 2024-04-02T23:16:50.000Z
- Updated: 2025-08-20T09:56:11.000Z
- Description: We look at ecosystems at their largest and smallest scales of time and size.
- Author: Cascade PBS Staff
- Tags: Be Smart, #ZZZ_Show_dc38a6e9-266e-43c1-b647-45e7445fad27, #v1.7, #ZZZ_Special_1c259969-4a72-4b47-9e29-83e692590235, #special

We look at ecosystems at their largest and smallest scales of time and size from the Serengeti to Andrews Experimental Forestin Oregon. How does the cycling of nutrients and molecules make life possible on Earth? Who are these recyclers and scavengers? Sometimes this recycling happens fast and violently, and sometimes it happens slow and beautifully.