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Decomposition
Definition
Dead animal and plant matter are broken down into simpler
matter.
It is a way to recycle matter that takes up space in an
ecosystem
Animal decomposition
Stage 1 - Fresh
Algor Mortis - Immediately after the heart stops, the body
begins to match the temperature of the environment .
Rigor Mortis - 3-6 hours, the muscular tissues become rigid
Livor mortis - the blood is no longer pumping so it pools in
areas, creating a purplish color
Autolysis - Cells lose their structural integrity, bringing about
the release of celluar enzymes that begin to break down the
cells and tissues
Stage 1 - Fresh (continued)
Putrification - Anaerobic organisms multiply and eat the
carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.This produces a lot of acids
and gases, like methane.
Scavengers come and eat some of the body
Blowflies and flesh flies arrive to lay eggs
Stage 2 - Bloat
The accumulation of gases inside the organism causes it to get
bloated
Eventually the tissue will rupture and liquify
Maggots from the flies hatch and feed on the organism’s
tissues
Stage 3 - Active decay
Most of the mass is lost during this stage because of two
things:
1.
2.
The maggots
The gases and fluids are escaping
Stage 4 - Advanced Decay
If the carcass is located on soil, the soil around it will have an
increase of nutrients such as
-
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Stage 5 - Dry/Remains
Skeletonized - All that is left is dry skin, cartilage and bones
What is the difference between a
scavenger and a decomposer?
Both play a vital role in decomposition.
Scavengers - feed on dead animal and plant matter. They
usually do not kill anything. While they are feeding, they help
break the matter into smaller pieces.
Decomposers - feed on dead animal and plant matter and
then release the molecules in the form of nutrients.
Examples:
Scavengers
In the middle (debatable)
Decomposers
Coyote
Raccoon
Condors
Jackals
Hyenas
Flys
Wasps
Cockroaches
Vultures
Crows
Fox
Eagle
Shrimp
Clams
Lobsters
Flat worms
Earthworms
Slugs
Snails
Beetles
Millipedes
Bacteria
Fungi (mold too)
Plant decomposition basic stages
The plant dehydrates, losing most of its water
Insects and fungi in the area breakdown the plant material
into smaller parts
Microbes come in and chemically breakdown what is left
(cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin)
Factors that determine how long
things take to decompose
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Temperature
Oxygen levels
Burial (access for insects and soil type)
Humidity
Rainfall
Size and weight
Food that was inside the organism’s digestive tract