How is decaying vegetation broken down by? Please Help, DESPERATE!!!?

Question

Decaying vegetation is broken down by........

please help

what causes decaying vegetation to be broken down?

Answer 1

The decomposition (stabilization) of organic matter by biological action has been taking place in nature since life first appeared on our planet

There are two processes that cause decay of vegetation.

1. AEROBIC (with oxygen) decomposition and stabilization.

2. ANAEROBIC (without oxygen) decomposition.

In these processes, bacteria, fungi, molds, protozoa, actinomycetes, and other saprophytic organisms feed upon decaying organic materials initially, while in the later stages of decomposition mites, millipedes, centipedes, springtails, beetles and earthworms further breakdown and enrich the composting materials.

Anaerobic:

Putrefactive breakdown of organic material takes place anaerobically. Organic compounds break down by the action of living organisms that do not require air in the normal sense. These organisms use nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients to live and to develop cell protoplasm, but they reduce the organic nitrogen to organic acids and ammonia. The carbon from the organic compounds which is not utilized in the cell protein is liberated mainly in the reduced form of methane (CH4). A small portion of carbon may be respired as carbon dioxide (C02).

Aerobic:

When organic materials decompose in the presence of oxygen, the process is called "aerobic." The aerobic process is most common in nature. For example, it takes place on ground surfaces such as the forest floor, where droppings from trees and animals are converted into a relatively stable humus. There is no accompanying bad smell when there is adequate oxygen present.

In aerobic decomposition, living organisms, which use oxygen, feed upon the organic matter. They use the nitrogen, phosphorus, some of the carbon, and other required nutrients. Much of the carbon serves as a source of energy for the organisms and is burned up and respired as carbon dioxide (C02). Since carbon serves both as a source of energy and as an element in the cell protoplasm, much more carbon than nitrogen is needed. Generally about two-thirds of carbon is respired as C02, while the other third iscombined with nitrogen in the living cells. However, if the excess of carbon over nitrogen (C:N ratio) in organic materials being decomposed is too great, biological activity diminishes. Several cycles of organisms are then required to burn most of the carbon.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/exten...

Answer 2

In fact it is broken down by DECAY  ; that is why it is called decaying vegetation . Not only vegetation , but all living matter / organisms ultimately decay.

Read all about it by simply clicking on the link below =

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterial_d...

From = A Botanist