Although they are too small for us to see, they are responsible for most decomposition. Fungi and molds are also important. White rot fungi are well adapted to decompose woody materials like chipped brush. Mites and other soil invertebrates feed on bacteria and fungi, helping to keep their populations in check. Competition among the different organisms insures that only the most efficient decomposers multiply.
Earthworms are perhaps the most familiar decomposer.
By blending soil and organic matter in their digestive track, they produce stable, nutrient-rich aggregates that improve the structure of soil. All decomposers are bound together in a complex feeding web. They turn organic wastes into a usable humus for the soil. All material is protected by Section 107 of the 1976 copyright law. If you intend to use this material, please acknowledge its author and source.