Decomposers and Composting

Decomposers Organisms that break down organic matter into compost. Examples: millipedes, banana slugs, red worms Pill bugs, mushrooms, bacteria

Composting Decomposers eat organic matter and expel castings- nutrient rich pieces of compost that add vitamins back into the soil when added to it. Organic matter includes: Fruit, vegetable, plant scraps Parts of animals that were once alive and are now in a state of decay. During composting, the natural process of decay is sped up by decomposers.

Compost Looks like dirt or soil Smells clean and fresh like earth after it rains Acts like a vitamin pill for the soil when added to it Made up of organic matter piled in layers with decomposers added in

How compost piles work Decomposers feast on organic matter & it gives off heat, creates castings. Cool compost is ready to be added to topsoil.

Topsoil The top 6 inches of soil on earth Needs 3 things for food to grow in it: Moisture Air Nutrients Topsoil can be depleted of all 3 from over-farming (farming too much)

How to Help Topsoil Add compost!!!!!! Keeps soil moist Aerates soil (adds air to it) Allows water to reach plant roots Makes topsoil arable (able to grow food)

The Trouble with Landfills Landfills are: Big holes filled up with trash Trash is compacted (crushed down) Compacted trash Has no air or water Cannot support decomposers Doesn’t get broken down Produces methane gas released from rotting food trapped with no air Largest source of methane Methane, a greenhouse gas, heats up the planet (global warming) and creates changes in weather

Composting vs Landfill It takes 18 years for a corncob to break down in a landfill but only a couple of months to break down in a compost pile Composting: Adds nutrients to topsoil Saves space in landfills Helps prevent global warming