Autumn leaves

It’s autumn, and the oak tree is in the process of sending out countless invitations to a great feast. One by one the yellow leaves float and drift down to the ground where the feast will be held. Hundreds and thousands will be invited; so many, that the guests cannot all come at once. Instead they come in waves.

The first wave of guests don't have far to travel; in fact they already live on the leaf. They are the bacteria that have lain dormant on that leaf; only waiting for the dew from the grass to wash out the bitter tasting compounds. The bacteria are present in such great numbers. Colonies of them are so large, that dark blotches of them appear on the leaf. Take a look next time you are out and you will see them.

The next to arrive are the spores of fungi that arrive by wind. These fungi bring with them special enzymes, which enable them to break down the parts of the leaf that are quite difficult to break down. These decomposers are invaluable.

You might know some of the next guests. They include the millipedes, springtails, mites and worms. Among the worms is a very modest hard working member of the community that we all know; the earthworm. The leaf by now is shredded into small parts.

The earthworm leaves to attend to other important business, however the feasting continues with more invertebrates arriving. The leaf is reduced to microscopic particles and another wave of bacteria and fungi have second helpings and enjoy these remains until the leaf is fully decomposed.

The invitations continue throughout the autumn, until they gradually begin to subside. The oak tree still stands tall, but now begins to reveal its stark bare brown branches. It will rest for quite some time now, and deservedly so.