detritus

thumb|Horse [[feces and straw are forms of detritus, and are used as manure.]]

In biology, detritus ( or ) is organic matter made up of the decomposing remains of organisms and plants, and also of feces. Detritus usually hosts communities of microorganisms that colonize and decompose (remineralise) it. Such microorganisms may be decomposers, detritivores, or coprophages.