Compost

Organic Matter: Why it really Matters

Historically soil quality here was very high, with 10% organic matter content.  A native ecosystem of tall grass prairie existed across the landscape.  The soils were quite stable and erosion was relatively nonexistent. 

Most of the area's precipitation was retained in the area where it fell because the great majority of rainfall was used by plants or absorbed into the very porous soil that had high organic matter content.  Instead of running over the surface, it percolated downward through the soil profile to recharge groundwater supplies.

However, as settlement occurred and farming intensified across the landscape, tillage and grading of soils began depleting organic matter content.  Today, many of the areas where even the richest soils existed have declined to as little as 2% or less organic matter.  The problem is worse in urban areas, where topsoil is completely stripped from development sites - almost all organic matter goes with it.  In the end, soils that are graded and compacted at construction sites, not to mention all the areas finished with impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt, are forced to shed surface runoff.