Glossary

decomposition

Natural, ecological process in which organic material is broken down into simpler substances which may then be used by other organisms. Typically biotic and carried out by microbes, worms, and other organisms but can also be abiotic and occur via chemical or physical processes such as oxidation or hydrolysis.

Used in 205 species profiles

Related terms

abiotic
Non-living. Abiotic factors in an environment include such items as sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation, for example.
biotic
Consisiting of, associated with or derived from living organisms. Biotic factors in an environment include the organisms themselves plus predation, competition and other interrelationships.
decomposer
Organism feeding on dead or decaying material aiding the natural process of decomposition by breaking down organic substances which subsequently become nutrients.
detritus
In biology, organic debris most often formed via the decomposition of organisms.
organic
Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms.
oxidation
Chemical process whereby an atom or ion loses electrons and undergoes a subsequent increase in valence; the combination of a substance with oxygen; the act or result of being oxidised. Opposite of reduction.
peat
A compressed accumulation of partially-decomposed, chiefly vegetable matter typically found in certain marshes, bogs, and peat swamp forests throughout the world. It forms via breakdown of various plants and other organic materials in water when full decomposition is prevented due to localised acidic, anaerobic conditions. As a result of this somewhat specific nature the organisms inhabiting peaty environments are often stenotypic and found nowhere else. Peat can be used as a fuel when dried and thus has industrial importance in some countries. Also used in aquaria, especially in order to simulate blackwater habitats, either in pure, artificially-granulated or liquid extract form.

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