Question

Q10. Why is the rate of decomposition affected by abiotic factors such as ph of the soil, availability of oxygen, temperature etc?

Answer 1

The decomposition of detritus is due to activities of microbes. The rate of growth of microbes is affected by temperature. The pH of the substratum affects the composition of microbes which degrade dead organic matter. If oxygen is present, then aerobic degradation occurs. In the absence of oxygen, anaerobiosis sets in and there will be incomplete degradation. Also, the degradation is due to the activity of exoenzymes secreted by microbes, and the activity of enzymes is affected by factors such as temperature.