Decomposition of Leaf Litter

This picture shows a healthy forest floor. This is the view most people see when looking into the woods. Most would say there is not much going on in this picture, there is not much activity going on here. This is a time where most people would be wrong. There is way more going on in this picture than meets the eye. less than an inch below the surface lies a whole system of work that has caused everything in this picture to have grown into the forest it has become. It is constantly feeding the trees, and creating possibilities of new life to be formed.

 The picture to the left here just barely scratches (brushes away) the surface. But already you can see the there is more to the clutter of leaves on the ground, than just being a clutter of leaves. To start the trees above have shed leaves, that have fallen to the ground. You can still see some of the more freshly fallen leaves here in the picture, but you also can see where the lower level of leaves have started to appear to disappear. That is not what is occurring though. the leaves are not simply disappearing they are being broken down by microscopic bacteria and fungi. This is basic decomposition. This picture does not show it, but the image here has also been effected by the various "critters" that live under the top layer of leaves, such as many types of insects, worms, spiders, and even some reptiles. As the bacteria and fungi break down the leaf material these small animals are mixing and moving the leaves, and decomposed material. The now decomposed leaves have been turned into a usable material for not only the same trees they originally fell from, but also to new vegetation that may take root. This is an example of a symbiotic relationship between all involved. The trees drop their leaves, giving shelter and nutrition to what is living on the ground below. What is living on the ground below then breaks down the material. Providing not shelter, but plenty of nutrition back to the tree. Creating a full circle.



This picture, although not too clear because of the glare on the glass, gives us an idea of what the ground may look like if we cut a cube out. You can see the different layers of decomposed material. Down to the bottom where it has completely been turned into soil rich in nutrition. 
                                     








This link goes to a PDF that goes a little more in depth PDF Healthy Soil and Leaf Layers  


This video is not leaves decomposing, but it gives us a little bit of an idea of how decomposition works. Two things to remember. One This video is sped up... two this is in a much less hostile environment than the forest floor, so it doesn't give us the full effect of what occurs in the heat, moisture, and activity that would occur around it in the natural environment.