CYCLING OF MATTER

1. CYCLING OF MATTER

2. What is Biomass? • is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms.

3. Decay of matter • process whereby heterotrophic organisms, including some bacteria, fungi, saprophytic plants, and lower animals, utilize the remains of once-living tissue as a source of nutrition.

4. Composting Its Recycling…

5. Compost What is composting? • Using the natural process of decay to • change organic wastes into a valuable • humus-like material called compost • Matter is recycled through decay Grass clippings Food scraps Leaves

6. Composting - Speeding up matter is recycled through the natural decay process • A compost pile or bin • allows you to control • Air (oxygen) • Water • Food, and • Temperature By managing these factors you can speed up the otherwise slow natural decay process

7. Benefits to Composting • Reduce waste & trash • Increase oxygen in soil (it is richer but not a fertilizer) * Biomass affects plants growth: Biomass decaysdecomposers feed on biomassdecomposers return nutrients back to the soilPlants grow • Use of organic matter in soil • Nutrients in humus

8. What do you need to make compost? • Decomposers –bacteria, worms or fungi • Food for the decomposers The organic materials to be composted • The right amount of air, water, and warmth to keep the work crew happy What happens to the energy in the compost bin? MOST of the energy in a compost bin is converted into HEAT Energy or thermal energy!

9. Garden trimmings Leaves Grass clippings Kitchen scraps What is the best food for your decomposers? Organic wastes that should be composted include: • Also • Used potting soil • Manure • Sawdust • Hair

10. Browns High carbon materials such as Leaves Straw Paper Sawdust Animal bedding mixed with manure (Manure provides food for micro-organisms which enrich the soil)

11. Greens High nitrogen materials such as • Vegetable scraps • Coffee grounds • Grass clippings • Manure-provides food for micro-organisms which enrich the soil • Cow • Horse • Poultry • Hog

12. Browns • Decay very slowly • Coarse browns can keep pile aerated • Tend to accumulate in the fall • Tie up nitrogen in soil if not fully composted • May need to stockpile until can mix with greens • Greens • Decay rapidly • Poor aeration – may have foul odors if composted alone • Tend to accumulate in spring and summer • Supply nitrogen for composting • Best composting if mixed with browns

13. When is compost finished? Compost is mature when… • The color is dark brown • It is crumbly, loose, and humus-like • It has an earthy smell • It contains no readily recognizable feedstock • The pile has shrunk to about 1/3 of its original volume

14. DECOMPOSITION • Decomposition is a process in which organisms that live in the soil turn dead organic material (plant and animal remains) into humus.

15. DECOMPOSERS • The organisms that break the remains of dead organisms into smaller pieces and digest them are called decomposers. • Fungi, protists, bacteria, and worms are the main soil decomposers.