Leaf litter

Plant litter is dead plant material that has fallen on the top layer of soil, commonly known as the litter layer or O-horizon. Plant litter typically becomes detritus and releases nutrients into the soil when decomposed, and also forms a loose layer of covering that preserves soil moisture, reduces soil erosion and provides concealment for small epigeic and fossorial animals. It is an important factor in ecosystem dynamics, as it is indicative of ecological productivity and may be useful in predicting regional nutrient cycling and soil fertility.

Back to Woodland Ecology & Wildlife →

Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

SHADETHRIVE

Gardens for the dark corners — ferns, hostas, and low-light greenery.

Get new guides by emailOccasional emails. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

InformationAbout Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Affiliate Disclosure Cookie Policy

Every entry, image, and fact is drawn from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, used under public-domain and Creative Commons licenses. No content is AI-generated.