AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Humus is dark, organic material that forms in soil when plant and animal matter decays. When plants drop leaves, twigs, and other material to the ground, it piles up. This material is called leaf litter. When animals die, their remains add to the litter.

Detailed explanation-2: -Humus (“HYOO-mus”) is decayed organic material, the remains of dead plants, animals, and other creatures. It’s the humus that gives rich soils their characteristic dark brown color.

Detailed explanation-3: -humus. noun. hu·mus ˈhyü-məs ˈyü-: a brown or black complex variable material resulting from partial decomposition of plant or animal matter and forming the organic portion of soil.

Detailed explanation-4: -Decomposers are the microorganisms that convert the dead plants and animals to humus. They are agents of this molecular decomposition.