| 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. |
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