aerobic decomposition of organic matter into humus by bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates
inputs: kitchen scraps, crop residue, manure, leaf litter
outputs: stable soil amendment rich in nutrients and microbial life
closes the carbon cycle loop: returns fixed carbon to soil instead of landfill
process stages: mesophilic, thermophilic (kills pathogens), cooling, curing
methods: windrow, static pile, vermicomposting, bokashi (anaerobic pre-step)
reduces methane emissions compared to anaerobic landfill decomposition
essential practice in regenerative agriculture and cyberia food systems
nutrient recycling supports crops without synthetic fertilizer dependency