What happens to the leaves that fall off trees? Why don’t they keep piling up until they reach the treetops?
Other plants and animals break down fallen leaves and dead trees into their basic parts. This is called decomposition. Insects and worms munch on leaves and logs. They tear them into smaller pieces. Then fungi feed on the small pieces. So do bacteria. (Bacteria are life forms so small that you can’t see them without a microscope.)
The living matter from the leaves and logs goes back into the soil. This makes the soil richer and helps new plants grow.
