Skip to main content

Abstract

Leaves fallen to the floor of a forest undergo a slow process of decomposition. This is brought about through the action of numerous organisms, with microorganisms playing a dominant role. Eventually, a thoroughly decomposed state is reached, the organic residue becomes part of the soil, and the nutrients may again be available to plants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anonymous, 1993, Grass: Cut it and leave it, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Solid Waste Management, Trenton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burge, W. D., Colacicco, D., and Cramer, W. N., 1981, Criteria for achieving pathogen destruction during composting, J. Water Pollution Control Fed. 53:1683–1690.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finstein, M. S., Miller, F. C., Strom, P. F., MacGregor, S. T., and Psarianos, K. M., 1983, Composting ecosystem management for waste treatment, Bio/Technology 1:347–353.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Finstein, M. S., Miller, F. C., and Strom, P. F., 1986, Waste treatment composting as a controlled system, Biotechnology, vol. 8: Microbial Degradations Verlag Chemie (German Chemical Society), Rehm, H. J., and Reed, G., Weinheim, pp. 363–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finstein, M. S., Miller, F. C., Hogan, J. A., and Strom, P. F., 1987, Analysis of EPA guidance on composting sludge: Part I—Biological heat generation and temperature, BioCycle 28(1):20–26 [Part II—Biological process control, BioCycle 28(2):42–47; Part Ill—Oxygen, moisture, odor, pathogens, BioCycle 28(3):38–44; Part IV—Decomposition rate and facility design and operation, BioCycle 28(4):56–61].

    Google Scholar 

  • Flannery, R. L., and Flower, F. B., 1991, Using Leaf Compost, Rutgers Cooperative Extension FSI17, New Brunswick, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flower, F. B., and Strom, P. F., 1991, Backyard Leaf Composting, Rutgers Cooperative Extension FS074, New Brunswick, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strom, P. E, and Finstein, M. S., 1994, New Jersey’s Manual on Composting Leaves and Management of Other Yard Trimmings, NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP), Division of Solid Waste Management, Trenton, NJ. (Available at no charge by calling NJ DEP at 609–984–6664 or online at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dshw/rrtp/compost/cptitle.htm.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Strom, P. F., Morris, M. L., and Finstein, M. S., 1980, Leaf composting through appropriate, low-level, technology, Compost Sci. 21(6):44–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strom, P. F., Flower, F. B., Liu, M. H. P., and Finstein, M. S., 1986, Municipal leaf composting: Recommended methods, BioCycle 27(9):48–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strom, P. F., Murphy, J. A., and Indyk, H. W., 1992, Minimizing Waste Disposal: Grass Clippings, Rutgers Cooperative Extension FS389, New Brunswick, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Strom, P.F., Finstein, M.S. (2000). Leaf Composting. In: Kuser, J.E. (eds) Handbook of Urban and Community Forestry in the Northeast. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4191-2_20

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4191-2_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6880-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-4191-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics