Why does soil organic matter matter?

Forum/Soil diary: Observing organic matter

Take a deep breath and step outside for a moment to look at the ground around you. What do you see — fallen leaves, bits of wood, stems, or roots?

In your soil diary, note what types of organic material you find and where it might come from. Can you spot signs of decomposition? If you like, share a photo or description in the forum and compare your observations with other students. For example, think of maize crop residues on a field, a forest floor, or leaves in a meadow — they all tell a different story about soil carbon and organic matter.