Leaf Litter Decomposition

Leaf litter decomposition is when leaves that fall from trees in forest is broken down by insects and bacteria to put nutrients back into the soil. The top layer of the litter is comprised of freshly fallen leaves. These leaves may still contain their orange, yellow, or red pigmentation. As you look under the top layer of leaves you will see a whole assortment of crumbled up bits of leaves. These leaves have almost no pigmentation and all appear to be brown. Below this level is where it becomes hard to distinguish between the individual leaf particles. Here its almost completely soil. Finally after digging slightly more deeply you get to soil that is high in nutrients for the growth of other plants.

Here you can kind of see some of the different layers. On top you can see more colorful leaves and underneath you can the finer browner leaves. If you could see under that layer you would see even finer leaves. After that you will be at soil level.