I checked material from one of the compost piles under my microscope today to see which types of micro organisms were present. Since the pile was previously hot and newly developed I noticed a good deal of bacteria, some dormant protozoa, and some fungal spores. I knew that I would see bacteria, but I wanted to set a "before" image in my mind about what was occurring inside the pile. In a month I am curious to see whether or not there are more diverse microbes or if biology in the pile slows and becomes dormant.

This method, termed "direct count," is an alternative way of examining soil and compost that and differs from the standard chemical analysis that most people are accustomed to. The soil, roots, organic matter, and soil-based microbes are all interconnected and work together to produce healthy plants and living soil. The direct count method is useful because it provides a picture of the life within the soil. We can use this "picture" to make predictions about the nature and the health of the soil based upon the presence or absence of certain organisms.

Below is a link to the article: Soil food web - opening the lid of the black box. This was written by Bart Anderson and appeared on Energy Bulletin in late 2006. It is a great article that provides a synopsis about a truly sustainable way to maintain soil fertility and also describes the importance of Dr. Ingham's work related to uncovering the interconnected world of the "Soil Food Web".