Biosphere Contents

3. Photosynthesis

The most important single source of organic matter for decomposition on land is leaf litter

Autumn leaves

Global patterns in plant litterfall are similar to those of net primary productivity. Leaf litterfall decreases with increasing latitude, from the tropical rain forests to the northern boreal forests. Most litterfall reaches the soil layer where it is broken by microfauna, fungi and bacteria, to its constituent nutrients, dissolved nitrogen and phosphate, and humus (the collective name for a set of complex organic compounds which are formed by decomposition of organic matter). These materials provide the fertile substrate for new plant growth to be sustained.

Do you understand the importance of litterfall?