Plants derive water and minerals from the soil. In turn, the soil gets these nutrients when the dead plants and animals are decomposed by the micro-organisms that are present in the soil. These micro-organisms are known as decomposers.
In a forest, decomposers break down fallen leaves and branches into materials that are useful to plants. They break down the dead organisms to release the nutrients in them into the soil.
The role of decomposers in a forest is vital in providing nutrients to the plants. Decomposers recycle dead plants and animals into useful chemical nutrients (for instance carbon and nitrogen) that are then released back into the air, water and soil.
Soil is a living entity that is made up of dirt (such as inorganic sand and clay), nutrients and microbes. The decomposers live in the soil, which has been enriched by dead forest material.
Most living things in soil depend on organic matter in order to get the nutrients and energy that they require. Soils tend to have different degrees of organic compounds that are in different states of decomposition.
Due to the composition of soil, it is often used in agriculture to serve as a primary nutrient base for plants. The type of soil that is used in agriculture will vary depending on the species of plant that is being cultivated.
Soil is critical to the environment for the following reasons:
• It provides minerals and water to plants
• It absorbs rainwater and releases it later, which helps to prevent floods and drought
• It cleans water as it percolates
• It is the habitat of a large number of organisms
In a forest, decomposers break down fallen leaves and branches into materials that are useful to plants. They break down the dead organisms to release the nutrients in them into the soil.
The role of decomposers in a forest is vital in providing nutrients to the plants. Decomposers recycle dead plants and animals into useful chemical nutrients (for instance carbon and nitrogen) that are then released back into the air, water and soil.
Soil is a living entity that is made up of dirt (such as inorganic sand and clay), nutrients and microbes. The decomposers live in the soil, which has been enriched by dead forest material.
Most living things in soil depend on organic matter in order to get the nutrients and energy that they require. Soils tend to have different degrees of organic compounds that are in different states of decomposition.
Due to the composition of soil, it is often used in agriculture to serve as a primary nutrient base for plants. The type of soil that is used in agriculture will vary depending on the species of plant that is being cultivated.
Soil is critical to the environment for the following reasons:
• It provides minerals and water to plants
• It absorbs rainwater and releases it later, which helps to prevent floods and drought
• It cleans water as it percolates
• It is the habitat of a large number of organisms