humification

9.7

Dead leaves and plants break down in soil and make dark, rich humus

noun
/ˌhjuːmɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

Specialized

: humificación

Forests rely on humification to convert fallen leaves into nutrient-rich humus.

Examples

During humification, organic matter breaks down efficiently.
Rapid humification can improve soil structure and fertility.
Humification is a crucial step in the build-up of fertile soil.
The process of humification is vital for soil health.
Forests rely on humification to convert fallen leaves into nutrient-rich humus.
Humification is a crucial step in the build-up of fertile soil.
Rapid humification can improve soil structure and fertility.

How Humified

humus

Specialized

2 5.8

humification

Specialized

9.7

decomposition

Specialized

23 5.3

plant material

3 3.0

Surface Forms

humification singular

humifications plural

Morphology

humification = humify (semi-transparent) = humi + fication

This is a standard noun formation from the verb 'humify' meaning the process of humifying.

Etymology

Humification starts with humus, which means 'soil' or 'ground', and ends with -fication, which means 'making' or 'a process'. So humification is the process of making humus — when plant material decays and becomes the rich soil we call humus.