Not only does leaf litter decomposition help release nutrients into the soil, but it can also store carbon in the ground. Forests sequester this greenhouse gas by capturing carbon dioxide in the ...

Earthworms, arthropods and other small creatures feed on leaves and break them down into smaller parts. Fungi and bacteria decompose the material even further. The product from the final stages of ...

Some mushrooms, or fungi, decompose litter in the forest, like fallen leaves and logs, while others, like most chanterelles, have what are called mycorrhizal connections. This type of fungus has a ...

The team found that tree diversity was positively correlated with the network complexity and diversity of epiphytic and endophytic fungi (Figure 1, 2).

The fungus, called Cryptococcus neoformans variety gattii, attacks the central nervous system. It is found in some decomposing organic material in forests, on the leaves and bark of certain exotic ...