There are lots of factors in how quickly organic material decomposes into compost, including creatures called decomposers. Find out what kind of things are part of nature’s clean-up crew ...

In a slow, invisible process, leaves, wood and roots are gradually decomposed—not by wind or weather, but by millions and millions of tiny organisms.

Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi work overtime when the rains come — water helps them break down waste material quickly. But some desert decomposers operate even in dry times. Take termites.