Decomposition
Composting
Red Wigglers
Soil Fauna
Random
100
Decomposition is…
a) the growth of food with a compost amendment.
b) the breakdown of organic wastes and dead organisms.
c) the dead-composition of organisms in the soil.
B. Decomposition is the breakdown of organic wastes and dead organisms.
100
Composting is a process of __________ decomposition done to produce a nutrient-rich form of organic matter.
a) Random
b) Useful
c) Controlled
d) Household
c) Controlled decomposition.
Composting is a biological process in which organic materials are ‘broken down’ into an end product called compost — a dark, nutrient rich form of organic matter.
100
What is the name for composting with worms?
Vermicomposting
100
True or false: Bacteria & fungi are the main decomposers at work during decomposition.
True. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, transform wastes and dead organisms into nutrients that can once again be used by plants and animals in the ecosystem.
100
How does this picture relate to compost?
Compost should be wet as a wrung-out sponge. This sponge is way too wet. A couple drops are OK, but not dripping.
200
Why are dead animals important to ecosystems?
Organisms continue to contribute to the energy flow in an ecosystem even after they die. Decomposition helps to recycle matter, nutrients, energy throughout the ecosystem.
200
What are main priorities of composting?
a) Create and maintain conditions that micro-organisms like to live in.
b) Get rid of all pests and let food naturally decompose.
c) Fill the bin with as much food scraps as possible.
a) Create and maintain conditions that micro-organisms like to live in.
Just like us, soil organisms need food, air, water, and shelter to survive!
200
How do worms get their information from their environment?
a) Seeing & tasting
b) Sensing light & vibrations
c) Sensing with smell & touch
b) Sensing light & vibrations
Worms do not have eyes, but are sensitive to light (PHOTOSENSITIVE) and can sense vibrations from movement/noise.
200
Name two ways experts classify/organize soil fauna.
Trophic level—the position of an organisms in the soil food web (e.g., producer, consumer).
Body size—microfauna, mesofauna, macrofauna.
200
Why do worms need a moist environment?
a) They need it to hydrate.
b) They need it for hygiene.
c) They need it breathe oxygen through their skin.
c) They need it breathe oxygen through their skin.
300
What do decomposition, food webs, and trophic levels, food webs, have in common?
The transfer or transformation of matter & nutrients (energy).
300
Why do we compost?
To help reduce and manage our waste.
To turn our food scraps into something we can use in the garden.
300
Name 2 kinds of food scraps that COULD go into a worm bin.
Coffee grounds, egg shells, tea bags, vegetable and fruit scraps.
300
What is this organism?
Millipede! The many legs and segments, and two antennae are key body features.
300
Why do food scraps need to be chopped into smaller parts?
Smaller food scraps = more surface area = more area for organisms to access food = faster decomposition.
400
Name the 4 phases of this diagram that depict the process of nutrient cycling/decomposition.
Life, death, decay, rebirth.
400
What are the “BIG 4” components impacting composting process?
Carbon (browns); Nitrogen (greens); Air (oxygen); Water
400
Name 2 kinds of food scraps that SHOULD NOT go into a worm bin.
Meat, dairy, citrus, onions, garlic, spice, bread unless for bulking.
400
Name the four trophic levels of the belowground foodweb.
Detritus & Organic matter
Primary consumers
Secondary consumers
Tertiary consumers
400
Why does a typical compost need layers?
Compost needs layers for proper moisture distribution and aeration; avoiding compaction.
500
Describe how the Indigenous Science theme of transformation relates to decomposition.
- Decomposition helps transform and cycle energy through an ecosystem.
- The natural world is in a constant phase of change and transformation.
- Transformation and renewal are central to Indigenous knowledge.
- Decomposition is transformation in action.
500
Why is it important to turn/mix a compost pile?
What happens if there is too much water in the compost?
Turning or mixing increases oxygen in the bin. The compost bin needs oxygen so the soil animals to breath. Aeration can help speed up the composting.
Wetness is needed for the microbes to live in the water films, but too much water can slow down the process by using anaerobic bacteria. Too much water can result in slimy and smelly compost.
500
What is required to maintain a worm bin? How often?
Are there any special techniques? Why?
You need to feed a yogurt-size container of food scraps once a week. You need to bury the food scraps under the browns (don’t leave them at the top). Leaving them at the top could attract flies.
500
How does the Lekwungen principle nuts’a’maat (interconnectedness) relate to the soil food web?
Nut’a’maat = we are all one. Soil foodwebs demonstrate this principle of interconnectedness, since each organism in the food web supports the existence of another.
500
Based on what you know, which composting method would be faster, plain/basic composting, or vermicomposting? Why?
Vermicompost would be faster because microbes are still present in the worm bin. So with vermicomposting you have worms + microbes, whereas in the plain bin it is mostly just microbes. Plus, worms can help recruit other soil fauna to help speed up the composting. Worms also help aerate the soil through moving around.