1. Decomposers and Composting

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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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