Book 24, Question 23
What is leaf litter, and what happens to it?
Leaf litter is the loose layer of fallen leaves, twigs, and bits of bark on the forest floor. It protects the soil, keeps it moist, and shelters many small animals. Beetles, millipedes, and fungi break the litter down bit by bit. Over months and years, it turns into dark, crumbly material that mixes into the topsoil and feeds the trees.
More fun facts
- Leaf litter is the layer of dead leaves and plant bits lying on the ground.
- Living things called decomposers feed on dead leaves, wood, dead animals and droppings.
- Decomposers break them down into water, carbon dioxide and simple nutrients.
- Plants need those nutrients to grow, so decomposers work like nature's recycling system.
- Without decomposers, dead leaves and dead animals would pile up everywhere.
- Most decomposers are tiny, like bacteria, but fungi, earthworms, termites and millipedes help too.
Sources: National Geographic Education
Questions kids ask
How do mushrooms eat leaves?
Fungi break down dead material with special chemicals called enzymes and soak up the nutrients.