Select the correct statements.

A. The factors affecting decomposition are the chemical nature of detritus and the climatic factors.

B. If detritus is rich in lignin and chitin, decomposition is very fast.

C. Decomposition is very slow if the detritus is rich in nitrogen.

D. Detritus is the raw material for decomposition.

Decomposers break down complex organic matter into inorganic substances such as carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients, and the process is called decomposition.

Dead plant remains such as leaves, bark, flowers and dead remains of animals, including fecal matter, constitute detritus, which is the raw material for decomposition.

The chemical makeup of detritus and climatic factors influence the rate of decomposition.

• Decomposition rate is slower if detritus is rich in lignin and chitin in a given climatic state (because of the complexity of its bonds and cross-linkages, as well as its low nitrogen concentration, lignin breakdown is low). Decomposition is faster if detritus is rich in nitrogen and water-soluble compounds such as sugars. 
• Temperature and soil moisture are the two most critical climatic elements that influence decomposition by influencing soil microbial activity. Warm, moist conditions favour decomposition, but low temperatures and anaerobiosis prevent decomposition, resulting in the accumulation of organic compounds.