When Forest Trees Die

Adapted from SuperScience Red, April 1994.

What happens when forest trees die? Decomposers — tiny plants and animals — go to work. They feed off of dead trees. Over a long time, they help the trees rot and become part of the soil.

Let It Rot!

Topsoil has decomposer living in it. Potting soil does not. Which will rot something faster? Try this.

You Need:

• 2 jars, quart-size, with lids

• 1 cup topsoil (from outside)

• 1 cup potting soil (from the store)

• Marker

• 2 pieces of lettuce

• Chart (from your teacher)

• Hand lens

  1. Put the potting soil into one jar. Mark the jar NO DECOMPOSERS. Put the topsoil into the other jar. Mark it DECOMPOSERS. Make sure both soils are damp.

  2. Put a piece of lettuce into each jar. Put it on top of the soil.

  3. Set the lids on the jars. Do not tighten them. Put the jars in a warm place, away from sunlight.

  4. MAKE A GUESS: In which jar will the lettuce rot faster? RECORD your guess on the chart.

  5. Check the lettuce every other day for 5 days. Look at each piece with a hand lens. RECORD any changes you see.

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