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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