Soil erosion and Conservation Assignment

GROUP SOIL EROSION ASSIGNMENT

Formation of compost in a compost bin Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed in a process called composting. It is broken by micro- organisms called decomposers.

Composting biodegrades organic waste, that is, food waste, manure, leaves, grass trimmings, paper, wood, feathers, crop residue etc., and turns it into a valuable organic fertilizer.

The resulting nutrients are returned to the soil to support plant growth. The effectiveness of the composting process is dependent upon the environmental conditions present within the composting system, that is, oxygen, temperature, moisture material disturbance, organic matter and the size and activity of microbial populations.

Learning about and taking part in compost production at school, will enable you to acquire skills such as team- building, communication and organisation that are needed to make a good compost in schools and also in the community.

Activity 1

Key question

Making a compost How do you make a compost?

What you need

Manufactured compost bin

Green materials (grass trimming, fruit and vegetable peelings, leaves, manure from cattle and poultry)

Brown materials (dried leaves, dried grass trimming, hedge cuttings, shredded paper, newspaper, empty toilet and kitchen rolls, cereal boxes, egg boxes,)

Garden hoe

Shovel/spade

Compost thermometer

Biology textbook Computer connected to the internet

What to do

1 Using the materials provided and by research, design an investigation into the formation of compost in a compost bin.

2 Locate an area in the school compound where you are to carry out the investigation.

3 Keep visiting the compost bin on a weekly basis for 2 to 3 months until the compost is formed.

4 From your observation, which materials decompose quickly? Explain your answer.

5 Which materials take long to decompose? Explain your answer.

6 Why is it important to mix brown materials with green materials?

7 Why some materials are inappropriate to compost?

Activity 2

Key question

How does temperature affect rate of formation of compost?

What you need

Water

Fridge

Fresh soil

Jars

Trash items as used in Activity 2

What to do

1 Working in small groups, repeat the experiment in Activity 2.11 by using fresh soil only. Use two jars.

2 Kept one jar in the fridge and leave one at room temperature

3 Is there any difference between the trash items in the jars a room temperature and jar in the fridge? Give explanation for your answer.

4 Summarise what happened over time to each piece of trash item in the two jars.

5 Discuss the importance of temperature in the process of decomposition.

6 What do you think will happen to the rate of decomposition it the jar at room temperature was put in an environment that slightly warmer than room temperature?

7 Share your findings with rest of the class.