Editing Leaf mold (section)

==Description==
Leaves shed in autumn tend to have a very low nitrogen content and are often dry. Their main constituents, [[cellulose]] and [[lignin]], are two recalcitrant molecules resistant to degradation.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kai Yue |display-authors=etal |title=Degradation of lignin and cellulose during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river |journal=Ecosphere |year=2016 |volume=7 |issue=10 |doi=10.1002/ecs2.1523 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2016Ecosp...7E1523Y }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://compost.css.cornell.edu/chemistry.html|title= Compost Chemistry|publisher= Cornell University|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref> Because of this, autumn leaves break down far more slowly than most other compost ingredients which may take a very long time on their own. Specialised biota, such as molds,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lakna |title=Difference Between Mold and Fungus |url=https://pediaa.com/difference-between-mold-and-fungus/ |website=Pediaa |date=6 December 2017 |access-date=16 December 2021}}</ref> produce extracellular enzymes<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Anna M Romaní |display-authors=etal |title=Interactions of bacteria and fungi on decomposing litter: differential extracellular enzyme activities |journal=Ecology |date=2016 |volume=87 |issue=10 |pages=2559–2569 |doi=10.1890/0012-9658(2006)87[2559:iobafo]2.0.co;2 |pmid=17089664|hdl=10256/7689 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> which can easily break down those complex plant polymers(cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Anna M Romaní |display-authors=etal |title=Interactions of bacteria and fungi on decomposing litter: differential extracellular enzyme activities |journal=Ecology |year=2006 |volume=87 |issue=10 |pages=2559–2569 |doi=10.1890/0012-9658(2006)87[2559:iobafo]2.0.co;2 |pmid=17089664|hdl=10256/7689 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> into biologically accessible forms<ref name="auto">{{cite journal |last1=Kai Yue |display-authors=etal |title=Degradation of lignin and cellulose during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river |journal=Ecosphere |date=31 October 2016 |volume=7 |issue=10 |doi=10.1002/ecs2.1523|doi-access=free |bibcode=2016Ecosp...7E1523Y }}</ref> enriching the soil environment.

The importance of this decomposition of the leaves and other  shed plant litter is that their degradation and decomposition forms a critical step in the mineralization of organic nutrients and their  recycling.<ref name="auto"/>