### process | decay:

Decomposition
* Most decomposition attracts beetles.
* Most decomposition occurs at soil surfaces
  - during death
* Most decomposition produces gases
  - methane gases
  - requires oxygen
  - takes place throughout the heated soil matrix and in the very hot vapors
* Some decomposition occurs in climates.
* can occur due to heat, chemical reaction, decay, etc.
* chemical change in which a molecule breaks down into simpler molecules
  - reaction where a complex compound is broken down into simpler compounds
* critical role played by fungi and bacteria.
* follows death
  - patterns
* function of both processing temperature and time at that temperature.
* involves the breakdown of plant and animal remains into simpler components
  - process of dividing a system into smaller elements or modules
* is also important because it is part of the global carbon cycle
  - an essential function to ensure natural recycling of residues of life
  - caused by factors
  - degradations
  - effected by soil temperature and what microorganisms are present
  - enhanced by exposure to oxygen
  - fastest when the organisms are in water that contains dissolved oxygen
  - important in regulating soil nutrient availability to plants
  - influenced by tidal height, rainfall and temperature
  - one of nature's recycling methods
  - rapid in the tropicals because high temperatures and an abundance of moisture
  - reduced when a living thing is buried quickly and cut off from an oxygen source
  - separatings
  - slow during the winter when it is cold
  - slowed when waste is concentrated in one place, as in a group latrine
* is the breakdown of a complex system into smaller, relatively independent, units
  - organic molecules into inorganic molecules
  - natural breaking down of organic materials
  - point - from ashes to ashes, dust to dust
  - process by which organic substances are broken down into much simpler matter
* is the process of enzymes digesting food
  - rotting or the breaking down of tissue by nature
  - vector algebra
  - vital to a healthy ecosystem
  - what happens to all bodies, plant and animal, after death
  - when substances are broken down
* natural and scientific process that begins immediately after death.
* occurs in layers
  - lower layers
* occurs in nature and in controlled environments like compost bins
  - whenever a leaf falls to the ground or an animal dies
  - stages
  - more rapidly in young forests than in older ones
  - rapidly in warm temperatures
  - through the action of bacteria and fungi
  - using much oxygen and other aquatic organisms also die and decompose
* provides additional benefits
  - feedback
* provides many additional benefits
* releases carbon dioxide
  - nutrients for assimilation by phytoplankton
  - the leaves' nutrients and adds organic material to the soil
* requires oxygen and thus reduces the dissolved oxygen content of the water
* uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide instead.
* uses up much of the oxygen, producing abnormally high carbon dioxide levels
  - oxygen and can cause fish kills
* way to recycle materials.

### process | decay | decomposition:

Aerobic decomposition
* Most aerobic decomposition requires oxygen.
* more rapid process and relatively odor free.

Anaerobic decomposition
* is often a problem with leaves or large piles of wood chips
  - slower and can generate strong odors
* releases much less energy from organic matter than does aerobic respiration.