Which biome typically has rapid decomposition of organic matter?

The correct answer is the forest biome, and it is recognized for its rapid decomposition of organic matter due to several factors. Forests typically have a warm and moist climate, which creates ideal conditions for decomposition. The presence of a diverse array of plant life leads to a rich variety of organic material, including fallen leaves, dead trees, and other plant debris.

In forest ecosystems, a variety of decomposers such as fungi, bacteria, insects, and larger detritivores actively break down this organic material. The interactions among these organisms accelerate the process of decomposition, allowing nutrients to be recycled back into the soil more quickly. This nutrient recycling is crucial for maintaining soil fertility, supporting new plant growth, and sustaining the complex food webs that characterize these biomes.

In contrast, other biomes, such as deserts and tundras, tend to have slower rates of decomposition. In deserts, the arid conditions limit microbial activity, whereas tundras experience cold temperatures that restrict the breakdown of organic material. Grasslands, while they do have productive soils, generally exhibit less rapid decomposition compared to forests because of less moisture and lower plant density, leading to a different rate of nutrient cycling.