In a Habitat Learning Lab (aka “Habitat Lab”), a decomposition station allows you and your students to observe decomposition over a long period of time and learn how various natural cycles such as the carbon and nitrogen cycles function in nature. By maintaining a rotting log learning station, compost bin/ pile, or vermicomposting bin, you and your students will learn about a vast array of decomposers (bacteria, fungi, arthropods and worms) as well as organisms that feed on the decomposers (salamanders, arthropods and worms).
If you and your students would like to learn more about the process of decomposition and the decomposers that help with decomposition, visit our WIldlife Habitat Investigation webpage: Decomposers and Their Habitat.
Use the links below to create and use decomposition stations in your Habitat Lab:
The rotting logs in a log decomposition station are a representation of what happens on a larger scale in real forests and even in your own yard. When a tree falls, it remains there as decomposers slowly consume it and return the nutrients to the soil. They do this by breaking down complex molecules in the log into simple carbon and nitrogen, as well as other minerals that living plants can use.
A forest is considered a major habitat and the fallen log is considered a microhabitat – a smaller habitat within a major habitat. The log provides the food, water, shelter, and places to raise young for the animals living around and within it. Producers, consumers, and decomposers can all live in a fallen log. This is why the Log Decomposition Station is sometimes called a “Log Hotel”.
Vermicomposting is the method of using earthworms to speed up the process of composting. The worms in the compost bin or pile consume the compost material and turn them into something useful – worm castings (or worm poop). The worms and their castings can be spread into gardens to fertilize plants, help break-up the soil so that it can retain water, and help plants grow faster and bigger!
This system shows you how important worms are to the health of our ecosystem. Just as they do in your vermicompost bin, worms help break down organic matter into things in our ecosystem that plants can use. They create nutrient-filled soil with their castings and break up the soil with their tunnels so the soil can hold more water!
The Red Wiggler worms used in vermicomposting are not native species and should not be released into your gardens or into the natural ecosystem.
In a compost bin or pile, bacteria (decomposers) use oxygen and heat to break down organic material, such as leaves, sticks, grass clippings, and dead flowers. Finished compost is dark, spongy, and full of nutrients. It can be spread into gardens to fertilize plants, help break-up the soil so that it can retain water, and help plants grow faster and bigger!
These FREE Materials Budget documents (listed below) include a list of all of the materials needed to construct decomposition stations on your own.
These Project Plans (listed below) include an itemized budget and suggested source for supplies and construction instructions to help you create your own decomposition station.
There are many ways to build a compost bin or set up a compost pile. Look online to get ideas and instructions that are most suitable for your school’s needs.
Decomposition stations in your habitat lab allow you and your students to observe decomposition over a long period of time and learn how various
natural cycles such as the carbon and nitrogen cycles function in nature.
Use these webpages with your students to learn more about decomposition and decomposers:
Use these webpages with your students to learn more about decomposition and Decomposers:
Use these activities with your students to learn more about decomposers, decomposition, food chains, food webs, energy cycle, nitrogen cycle and carbon cycle:
Below are free activities & lesson plans related to decomposition:
Below are free activities & lesson plans related to decomposition:
Activities
Presentations & Videos
Log Decomposition Station – If you have no rain for more than two weeks, be sure to give your logs and surrounding ground a good soaking with your hose to help keep the area moist for decomposers. Consider adding this task to your weekly maintenance checklist.
Vermicompost Bin – Sprinkle about a quart of water on it once a week, add new “food” every three or four weeks, and use a hand trowel to mix up the mixture of soil, sand & food once a month. You can also reference our Vermiculture Info (as a powerpoint) / Vermiculture Info (as a PDF). These include details about what to “feed” to the worms and how to maintain the worm bin farm. For info about what can and cannot be added to the bin, refer to chart on right.
Compost Pile/ Bin – Alternate adding green and brown materials. If you add too much of one of the other, moisture levels will be off and your compost will not break down properly. Materials should be as wet as a rung-out sponge. Keep bags of dry leaves (brown material) on-hand to add to the pile after you add food scraps or yard waste (green materials). When you add to the pile, be sure to mix in the fresh material with lower layers. Mix or turn the compost weekly to encourage decomposition and minimize odor. As the contents of the pile decompose, the pile will shrink. Finished compost will be dark, crumbly and smell like earth and will end up at the top of the bin or compost pile. Remove all the finished compost from the bin, leaving unfinished materials in the bin to continue decomposing. If you have a multi-chambered bin, keep your finished compost in a separate chamber than your working compost. For info about what can and cannot be added to the pile, refer to chart on right.
Read more about composting in AWF’s “Backyard Composting – Making Black Gold” article.
Falkville Elementary’s Log Decomposition Station
Legacy Elementary’s Log Decomposition Station
Heritage Elementary’s Vermiculture Bin
Heritage Elementary’s Vermiculture Bin
Leon Sheffield Elementary’s Compost Station
Example Compost Station
