Soil Organic Matter
FS1135
First Paragraph:
Soil is the site of a huge recycling operation, whereby
dead organisms and organic waste products are broken
down to component parts – molecules, ions, or elements
subsequently available as sources of nutrients and energy
to the living soil organisms. The laborers in this operation
are primarily mesofauna (insects, earthworms, and
other visible soil-dwelling creatures) and microorganisms
including fungi and bacteria that use the organic material
as their food source - and that eventually become fodder
for the next generation of recyclers.
Author(s): Stephanie Murphy, Daniel Giménez, Loren Muldowney, and Joseph Heckman
Publisher: Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension
Date Published:
Number of Pages: 3