ideal conditions for decay
                     Ideal conditions for decay
• Warm conditions
– Chemical reactions work 
faster when they are the 
right temperature
– If too hot or too cold the 
enzymes in decomposers 
don’t work 
Ideal conditions for decay
• Moist conditions
–The right amount of water prevents microbes 
drying out
Ideal conditions for decay
• Plenty of oxygen
– For aerobic respiration  (a chemical reaction which 
transfers energy to cells)
– (although some can respire anaerobically)