jelly rot fungus growing on a dead tree
When a chestnut oak tree dies and falls in a forest, it becomes a new habitat. Organisms called decomposers feed on and break down the dead tree.
The jelly rot fungus is a decomposer that feeds on the hard, woody tissues of dead chestnut oak trees. As the fungus digests the dead tree, it converts the hard wood into softer tissue. Once the wood is soft, bacteria, beetles, and earthworms begin to tunnel into it. As the dead tree is broken down further, the soil below becomes rich in nutrients.
Which of the following best describes a community on a dead tree in a forest?
