Hotbed

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A hotbed is an environment conducive to rapid growth or development. Colloquially, it is often heard in the phrase, "a hotbed of activity." The term has varying, specific meanings in diverse fields, such as economics and biology.

In biology, a hotbed is a pile of decaying organic matter warmer than its surrounding due to the heat given off by the metabolism of the microorganisms in the decomposing pile. Hotbeds are used by humans for composting and keeping delicate plants warm during the winter. Some egg-laying animals use hotbeds to incubate their eggs.