The present work constitutes a thorough examination of the pools and fluxes of detritus in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Not only does it provide a comprehensive analysis of the process of detritus decomposition, but it also delves into the biotic and abiotic factors that impact the rate of decomposition. The book is particularly notable for its portrayal of the role of decomposition in nutrient cycling and its delineation of contemporary concepts related to humus biosynthesis. This book would be of particular use to post-graduate students with Ecology as a major subject, as well as researchers in the fields of soil biology and biochemistry, soil sciences, and ecosystem structure and function.