Glossary

detrital

Detrital (deh-trí-tuhl) refers to something made up of or derived from detritus, fragments of organic matter such as fallen leaves, decaying wood, shed bark, and dead organisms.

In ecological systems, detrital material plays a vital role by fueling decomposition and supporting detritivorous insects, fungi, and microbes that break down organic matter and cycle nutrients back into the soil.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, forest floors are rich in detrital layers that provide microhabitats for millipedes, springtails, beetle larvae, and fungi, all of which contribute to soil health and food web activity.

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