Compost Glossary

Source: Mansfield Middle School
 
Actinomycetes A filamentous bacteria that resembles fungi.
Aerobic A biochemical process occurring in the presence of oxygen.
Anaerobic A biochemical process occurring in the absence of oxygen. Marked by a foul odor.
Bacteria  Microscopic single-celled organisms lacking a nucleus. They are structured as either rod-shaped, sphere-shaped or spiral-shaped.
Carbohydrate A compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen most of which is formed by green plants and which constitute a major class of animal foods. Three categories of carbohydrates are sugars, starches, and celluloses.
Carbon An element necessary for the construction of carbohydrates. Represented as "C". Necessary for the support of life. Examples of carbon-rich materials used in a compost pile are leaves, sawdust, wood chips, straw.
Carbon/nitrogen ratio The proportion of carbon to nitrogen which affects how quickly microorganisms work. The ideal "C/N" ratio is in the range of 25/1 to 35/1
Centipedes Long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods. Each body segment bears one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs.
Compost Organic matter that is undergoing decomposition or has resulted from decomposition.
Cubic yard The dimensions are 3 feet high by 3 feet deep by 3 feet wide.
Decomposer An organism that feeds on and breaks down organic materials into simpler chemical compounds.
Decomposition The process by which organic materials chemically break down into simpler compounds.
Earthworms Any of a family of numberous hermaphroditic worms that move through the soil.
Elements Any of more than 100 fundamental substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and that singly or in combination constitute all matter.
Food web The totality of interacting food chains in an ecological community.
Fungi Saprophytic and parasitic plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts and mushrooms.
Humus The end product of composting. Organic material which is completely decomposed.
Inorganic matter Derived from a non-living source such as rocks, sand and plastic.
Invertebrate An organism lacking a spinal column.
Mesophilic Describes bacteria which are active in the temperature range between 40-110 degrees Fahrenheit, but thrive between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Most of the decomposition that takes place in a compost pile is mesophilic.
Microbes A synonym for microorganisms.
Microorganisms Microscopically small living things that digest organic material through metabolic activity.
Millipedes A small crawling animal with a cylindrical segmented body covered with hard integument. Two pairs of legs are attached to each segment. No poisonous fangs.
Mites Very minute arachnids that have eight leg-like jointed appendages.
Nematodes Elongated cylindrical worms parasitic in animals or plants or free-living in soil or water.
Nitrogen An element necessary for the construction of all living tissue. Represented as "N". Examples of nitrogen-rich materials used in a compost pile are food scraps, grass clippings, animal manures.
Nutrients A substance that provides nourishment.
Organic matter Derived from or produced through the biological activity of a living thing.
Pathogen Any organism capable of producing disease or infection. Found in animal waste material, pathogens are killed by the high temperatures (131 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for 3 days) of the composting process.
Primary consumers Herbivores. Feeding on plant matter.
Protozoa Unicellular animals which have varied morphology and physiology, and often complex life cycles. Represented in almost every kind of habitat.
Psychrophilic Describes bacteria which are active in a low temperature range (below 65 degrees Fahrenheit), but thrive around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Saprophytic Obtaining food by absorbing dissolved organic material.
Secondary consumers Carnivores. Organisms that eat primary consumers.
Sow bugs A crustacean with a flattened elliptical body often capable of being rolled into a ball. Called also pill bugs.
Springtails Also known as collembolan. A small primitive wingless arthropod.
Thermophilic Describes heat-loving bacteria that exist in a temperature range between 104 - 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Their ideal range is 122-131 degrees Fahrenheit.