Litter

n. Leaves, needles, fine twigs, and other organic material on the forest or grassland floor that have undergone little or no decomposition.

• Discussion

All original plant structures are recognizable in litter. In forest soil, litter undergoes further decomposition to form duff.  

• See Also

  • Duff

  • Litter layer

   

• Notes

  • Author 

    Jim Reardon, Physical Science Technician

    Rocky Mountain Research Station

     

  • Last update 

    August 2007