Carpet moss, A.K.A. Mnium hornum, is a common evergreen plant growing on stream beds and the base of deciduous trees.
In the spring the moss is a golden-green, but turns into a dark green as it ages, and becomes almost velvety.
Carpet moss can be considered both a producer and a decomposer, as they use photosynthesis to make food and also breaks down organic matter (usually dead trees) to make food.
Carpet moss also can sexually and asexually reproduce, either by producing female structures that produce egg cells or male structures that produce sperm cells, or seperated sections of the moss can reproduce into a completely new batch of carpet moss.
Tawny Milk-Cap Mushroom
The Tawny milk-cap mushroom is edible, to the delight of the Lactarius volemus hunters.
They are eaten fresh because a white milk/latex seeps out of the fungi's gills.
When it is dry, the mushroom has a strong odor of fish.
The mushroom cap is 2-5 inches long, has a velvety feel, has a 4-inch stalk, and bruises wherever you touch it.
The visible part of the mushroom is the result of the reproduction process it goes through; the actual decomposition happens through thin silky strands of mycelia underground.
The mycelia sends out chemicals to hasten the decomposing process for the nutrients the mushroom requires.
Due to its lack of chlorophyll, the mushroom does not require the sunlight to survive.
Asian Ladybeetle
The Harmonia axyridis is a common sight in the deciduous forests, migrating from the Asian Deciduous area.
The Asian ladybeetle decomposes dead organic matter, but also consumes aphids and insects smaller than them.
They have a size of about 5.5-8.5 mm, and are usually orange or red with 0-22 black spots.
Beetles communicate with each other with pheremones, "calling" to each other and attracting swarms.
Ladybeetles swarm usually because of sunlight, and will hibernate during the winter, woken up by solar heating.
To defend themselves, ladybeetles have a chemical called isopropyl methoxy pyrazine to deter predators.
They also have been known to "bite" humans when agitated, causing little actual damage.
Earthworm
The Lumbricina is a very common detrivore found in the world.
Earthworms contain both male and female sexual reproduction organs.
They do not have a skeleton or exoskeleton. Instead, they have fluid-filled chambers that function as a hydrostatic skeleton.
Earthworms are not that abundant in disturbed enivornments, and are only typically active when water is present.
Earhworms can vary in length from 10 mm (0.39 in), to 3 m (9.8 ft), usually dependent on the species.
While earthworms look fairly simple, they actually contain a full nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system, excretory system, they respire, and reproduce like many other organisms.
Earthworms also have varied results on regeneration; the results depend on the species.
They also help the soil and make it more fertile, taking the organic matter they break down into their energy, then their by-products go straight to the soil.
Lady Fern
The Lady fern, or the Athyrium filix-femina, is a common decomposer among the deciduous forest biome, and the rest of the world.
The fern grows best in shady, damp areas and are sometimes grown for decoration.
Due to the common appearance of the fern, they are rated as G5 Secure plant in its conservation status.
They can grow up to 3 feet tall in ideal conditions.
All the fronds contains thin leaves that grow all around in a circular clump.
They also mainly concentrate to decompose dead organic plant matter.