Terrestrial Decomposition

Abstract

The importance of the decomposition of organic matter in the maintenanceof soil fertility has been long known. However, since the conceptof organic matter decomposition as merely the chemical oxidationof organic compounds gave way to a more dynamic biological interpretation,accurate, coordinated data on the interactions of soil microfloraand fauna in this complex process have, for various reasons, beenlong delayed. This present contribution does not aim to review comprehensivelythe subject of decomposition of organic matter in terrestrial environments,rather it aims to point out the problems encountered in such studies.