Then, they're either recycled to the plants, or taken up by the microbes who die and are decomposed Their nutrients get taken up by other microbes, and so on. Before some plants even drop their leaves, they resorb most of the nutrients, rather than throw them away with the leaves, in the litter. It's a perfect example of wise use of resources.
Litter is as varied as the environments where it's found.
Dr. Prescott is currently working on a project studying the decomposition of litter in nine different biogeoclimatic zones around the province. Fourteen separate regions of British Columbia, classified by vegetation, geography, and climate. You can see leaves falling, and watch how they decompose as you dig deeper into the forest floor. You can see the fungi and bugs that are making this decomposition occur. Look for the roots and associated mycorrhizal fungi that are there, ready to take up nutrients into trees once the other organisms release them.