Water access drives leaf decay rate

Steps:

• Observe decay rates across mesh sizes from experimental results.
• Note faster decomposition with larger mesh, indicating increased factor penetration.
• Identify water as the key variable, as mesh affects moisture entry to leaves.
• Conclude decay relies on water availability, not other factors like direct nutrient loss.

Why B is correct:

• Decomposition requires moisture for microbial activity; larger mesh allows more water ingress, accelerating breakdown per ecological principles of wet decomposition.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Incomplete and grammatically flawed; results link mesh to water, not directly to speed without mechanism.
• C: Identical to B, but listed separately—likely a duplication error, not a distinct conclusion.
• D: Focuses on nutrient diffusion, but results emphasize water's role in enabling decay processes, not nutrient escape.

Final answer: B