Successful composting appears to be a result of the ability of the system to supply the microbial community with its basic needs: moisture, oxygen, temperature control, and adequate mixing.
With these conditions satisfied, the microbial community follows a predictable successional pattern.
The first group is dominated by the mesophilic zymogenous organisms; the next one by thermophilic organisms.
The final Correspondence to: J.R. Shann. Fax: (513) 556-5299; e-mail: ShannJR@ucbeh.san.uc.edu. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY Microb Ecol (1997) 33:78–85 © 1997 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
community is comprised, primarily, of mesophilic autochthonous organisms.
These general communities are made up of specific microorganisms.
The initial decomposers of organic wastes are the fungal and bacterial components.
During the subsequent thermophilic phase, the actinomycetes appear and the fungal populations decline.
In the final phase of composting, curing, the actinomycetes remain and the fungi reappear along with cellulose decomposing bacteria.