AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Decomposers, such as termites, slugs, scorpions, worms, and fungi, thrive on the forest floor. Organic matter falls from trees and plants, and these organisms break down the decaying material into nutrients. The shallow roots of rainforest trees absorb these nutrients, and dozens of predators consume the decomposers!

Detailed explanation-2: -The forest floor is where decomposition takes place. Decomposition is the process by which fungi and microorganisms break down dead plants and animals and recycle essential materials and nutrients. Also, many of the largest rainforest animals are found on the forest floor.

Detailed explanation-3: -The forest floor is the lowest layer in the rainforest, it is dark, damp and hot! Saplings and new large-leafed shrubs grow in the patches of sunlight that makes it through. The forest floor supports numerous decomposers and predators which are mainly, fungi, algae, invertebrates, soil mites and bacteria.

Detailed explanation-4: -The forest floor, also known as the O horizon of the soil profile or the litter layer (Fig. 1), mainly contains decomposing plant material such as leaves, bark, branches, and stems.

Detailed explanation-5: -Thus in a forest where k = 0.5, the mean residence time of a new input of litter would be 2 years (1/k), but an individual leaf might take 6 years (3/k) to 95% decompose and 10 years (5/k) for 99% of it to decay.