Question

What is Detritus?

Answer 1

Detritus, a dead particulate organic material, from the dissolved organic material as distinguished. It typically includes the bodies of fragments of bodies of the dead organisms and fecal material. Swift et al. (1979) provided one of the most comprehensive treatments of detritus, focusing on physical attributes such as size, chemical quality and its interactions with organisms. Range from simple and complex organic molecules size classifications of detritus, in dissolved organic matter (DOM) to Particulate Organic Matter (POM) plant litter, coarse woody debris.

Complete answer:
Detritus typically hosts the communities of microorganisms that colonize and decompose it. Of aquatic ecosystems is organic material that is suspended in the water the Detritus. Detritus is defined as dead and decaying organic matter which includes fallen leaves, plant parts and animals that are dead. In Detritus, it is the primary source of energy in which the microbes like protozoa, bacteria and fungi help the complex organic matter to break down. In soil, the detritus food chain helps in replenishment by adding nutrients to the soil. When the micro-organisms feeding on the dead matter dies, with the soil they mix and of grazing at the time, various animals may consume these dead micro-organisms feed on the grasses. Detritus, is the source of energy and nutrients to living organisms in most food webs.

Note:
The Detritus, in the case of the terrestrial ecosystem, are found in the form of the leaf litter and then when mixed with the soil, other forms of organic matter, turns into the soil organic matter. While in the case of the aquatic ecosystem, as suspended organic matter in the water bodies the detritus is found and at the floor of the water bodies gets accumulated which is termed as “marine snow”. In forest and sea grass, the trees kelp into for decomposers (Harmon et al, 1986; Romero et al, 1994).