Plant litter

Plant litter is dead plant material, including leaves, bark, and twigs, that accumulates on the ground before or during decomposition.

Decomposition: The physical and chemical breakdown of organic matter into simpler substances. Litter decomposition transforms dead plant material and makes its nutrients available again.
Leaf litter: Dead leaves accumulated on or near the soil surface. Leaves are often the most abundant and readily recognizable component of plant litter.
Litterfall: The falling of leaves and other plant parts from vegetation to the ground over time. Litterfall measures new inputs, whereas plant litter is the material accumulated on the ground.
Detritus: Dead organic material from plants, animals, or microbes in an ecosystem. Plant litter is the plant-derived portion of the wider detritus pool.
Detritivore: An organism that feeds on dead organic material and fragments it. Detritivores chew and fragment litter, increasing its exposure to decomposers.
Woody debris: Dead branches, stems, and trunks lying on the ground or in water. Woody pieces are litter components that usually decompose more slowly than leaves.
Litterbag experiment: A field method that tracks decomposition by placing known plant material in mesh bags. Litterbags compare decay rates across plant species, soils, or environmental conditions.
Detrital food web: A network of organisms that obtains energy from dead organic matter and its consumers. Litter supports food webs powered by decomposing material rather than living plants.
Fungal decomposition: The breakdown of organic matter by fungi through extracellular enzymes. Fungi digest tough litter compounds such as lignin and cellulose.
Lignin: A complex structural polymer that strengthens the cell walls of vascular plants. Lignin-rich litter resists microbial breakdown and can decay slowly.

Linked from 1 page

HumusRelated: It is a major input from which humus develops.