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Saprophytes are the
organisms that act as the rainforests decomposers, competing with
the heavy rainfall which constantly washes away nutrients on the forest
floors. Some fungi, called mycorrhizals, are examples of plant life
that carry out this function. Decomposers work extremely efficiently
and, together with the warmth and wetness which helps accelerate decomposition,
can often break down dead animals and vegetation within 24 hours.
Decomposition in montane forests, which are colder and less humid,
however, can sometimes take up to six weeks. |
Many saprotrophs
are so small, called microbes, that they cannot be seen with the naked
eye. Other decomposers, which include insects, grubs, snails, slugs,
beetles and ants, aid in recycling valuable nutrients from dead organic
matter which is then released back into the soil to be reabsorbed
rapidly by plants and trees. Decayed matter contains essential nutrients
like iron, calcium, potassium and phosphorous all of which are necessary
to promote healthy rainforest growth. Thus decomposers must work continuously
to release these and other elements into the soil.
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