Final answer:
Tom adds manure to the soil to replenish nutrients and maintain soil quality, which is essential for healthy plant growth. Manure provides necessary nutrients like nitrogen and supports ecosystem services in the soil.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tom, a farmer who sells fruits and vegetables, adds manure to the soil every two weeks to improve soil fertility. Manure is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, which is essential for the growth of plants. This natural fertilizer supports the diverse soil organisms that break down organic matter into nutrient compounds necessary for the healthy growth of crops, which is an aspect of ecosystem services.
Farmers, like Tom, use manure to replenish the soil because planting crops continuously can deplete the soil's nutrients. The practice of adding manure helps maintain the soil quality and structure, ensuring that crops receive the necessary nutrients to thrive. This method of soil enrichment is preferable and sustainable compared to leaving fields fallow or using chemical treatments.