Function of Decomposition

Function of Decomposition

The two major functions of decomposition within ecosystems are as under:-
(1) The mineralization of essential elements,
(2) The formation of soil organic matter to inorganic form.

The formation of soil organic matter in nature is a slow process. The decomposition of
any piece of plant detritus may take hundreds of years to complete. However, some residues
of decomposition within this period do contribute to the formation of soil organic matter.