dead organic matter
Decaying biological material
Dead organic matter is the remains of living things—fallen leaves, decaying wood, animal carcasses, and other biological material no longer alive.
In ecology, it forms the base of decomposition cycles, feeding fungi, bacteria, and detritivores that return nutrients to soil.
The term appears in scientific contexts: Dead organic matter accumulates on the forest floor.
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- rotting woodDeteriorating plant matter
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
fallen leaves · detritus · rot · mulch · soil · carrion · leaf litter · forest floor · mold · fungi · bacteria · nutrients · fertilizer · putrefaction · corpse · carcass · six feet under · remains
- Soil Organicshumus, compost, peat, detritus, leaf litter