AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -As the leaves decompose, the nutrients contained in the leaves are absorbed by the soil. For this reason, the soils of this biome tend to be very fertile. Because this biome has fertile soil and a long, 5 to 6 month, growing season, many deciduous forests have been converted into agricultural regions.

Detailed explanation-2: -Decomposers. Decomposers like earthworms, bacteria, fungi and insects take care of the dead plants and animals in the deciduous forest. They break them down into smaller and smaller parts which ultimately creates new soil.

Detailed explanation-3: -The soils upon which deciduous forests thrive are gray-brown and brown podzols. They are slightly acidic and have a granular humus layer known as mull, which is a porous mixture of organic material and mineral soil. Mull humus harbours many bacteria and invertebrate animals such as earthworms.

Detailed explanation-4: -The soil found in the forest ecosystem of the temperate deciduous forest biome is rich in nutrients because of decaying material such as fallen leaves that is broken down into rich organic material called humus. This humus rich soil is also great at holding water, making it available for plant use.