Decay!

Ecological farmers need to know how to work with nature’s decomposition processes

In last month’s article, we introduced the process of pedogenesis, the process by which the Nature Operating System (Nature OS) creates soil. Now that it is early in the growing season on most North American farms and ranches, many of us are involved in cleaning the winter bedding pack out of sheds and barns. Some of us will directly apply cleanings to the soil, while others will be making and turning compost. A tremendous amount of compost is being applied this time of year all across the continent, and organic mulches are being spread. 

In many ecological writings (Charles Walters’ Eco-Farm and Gary Zimmer’s The Biological Farmer are two that come to mind) the chapter that follows soil creation usually photosynthesis. Yes, photosynthesis is the driver of ecological agriculture, but decomposition is one of the foundations of eco-ag. In nature, growth rates and the health and yield of plants are directly regulated by the rate at which nutrients are cycled and recycled within the decomposition process.

In early succession (as described last month), lichens and mosses get most of their nutrients directly from the processes of weathering, biological nitrogen fixation and deposition from the atmosphere. As succession continues beyond this stage, an increasing proportion of plant nutrients are recycled from the remains of previously living things. Large organic molecules in the lichens and moss (“organic” as in stuff that is or once was alive) are oxidized, releasing carbon dioxide, water, energy and decomposer organisms. Essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur) are released. New compounds are synthesized by the soil life, and some are protected from further decay. Aside from when disturbances (such as tillage) result in nutrient losses (oxidation, leaching, erosion, etc.), there is an overall trend toward nutrient cycling via the decay process as the main source of plant nutrients. “Manage your decay cycle!” I can still hear Gary Zimmer squealing at 300 mph.