Why are most of the decomposed plant remains near the surface?

Question

Why are most of the decomposed plant remains near the surface?

Answer 1

Plants only grow on the surface. Then they die and fall on the surface. They only get buried when there is an earthquake, landslide or volcanic or flood action.

Answer 2

Because this is where it falls.  It takes mechanical mixing for the decomposed material to enter the soil system.  That mechanical mixing is caused by worms, plants and other insects (as well as humans).

It also should be noted that soil forms from the top down, inherently decomposed material stays near the surface.

Answer 3

"Plants only grow on the surface. Then they die and fall on the surface. They only get buried when there is an earthquake, landslide or volcanic or flood action"

Wrong, plant material leaches into the ground via chemical breakdown, insects, plant material or soil disturbance.

Answer 4

because plants live on the surface