Give an account of factors affecting the rate of decomposition.
Factors affecting decomposition: The upper layer of soil is the main site of decomposition processes in the ecosystem. The rate of decomposition of detritus is affected by climatic factors and the chemical quality of detritus. Temperature and soil moisture affect the activities of root microbes. The chemical quality of detritus is determined by the relative proportion of water-soluble substances, polyphenols, lignin, and nitrogen.
