Many soil organisms decompose (break
down) plant matter. Living plants feed on the broken-down material, so dead
things don’t pile up on the ground!
DECOMPOSING
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Smaller and smaller
Microbes (tiny living things) such as
fungi wrap around leaf fragments.
Microbes release chemicals to
decompose the fragments even further.
Worm poo
Decomposing leaves are eaten and
digested by earthworms. Worm casts
(poo) are mixed into the soil.
Microorganisms such as bacteria
feed on worm casts and release
nutrients for plants.
Food is stored here for a short while. Powerful lips suck in food.
Nutrients are taken in as the food passes through.
Previously eaten stones help grind
up food.
What looks like white fur on a leaf is fungi.
Casts pass
out the
other end.
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020-021_Decomposing.indd 21 31/10/2019 14:04
