In forest ecosystems, the litter layer is not merely a passive organic waste layer but a dynamic component driving fundamental processes such as energy flow, nutrient cycling, and carbon transformation. This organic layer provides vital microhabitats for shelter, feeding, and reproduction across a wide spectrum, from micro- and macroinvertebrates to passerine birds, amphibians, and small mammals. At the same time, large mammals such as wild boar, brown bear, gray wolf, and ungulates act as ‘ecosystem engineers’ shaping decomposition processes and spatial heterogeneity on the forest floor from the top down through physical disturbances (bioturbation) and defecation. However, abiotic and anthropogenic factors such as traditional silvicultural practices, forest fires, and increasing drought stress due to global climate change seriously threaten the integrity of this sensitive layer and the food webs it supports. This study highlights data gaps in Turkish forests and recommends conserving litter to support sustainable forest and wildlife management.