Soil - Life in the dirt lane
Life in the dirt lane
Soils are teeming with life, from the microscopic bacteria and fungi to the visible small animals and plants. Live organisms promote growth and new life in soil. Once dead, organisms contribute to the amount of decayed organic matter in soil, which influences its characteristics.
Pick up a handful of soil and you are holding billions of microscopic organisms. These microbes decompose organic matter and return vital nutrients into the environment. Plant roots hold soil particles together and prevent them from blowing away. Animals that burrow into the soil, such as squirrels and moles, create holes that allow air and water to enter. Insects such as beetles, ants, spiders, and snails eat organic matter and begin the decaying process. Worms tunnel through the soil, creating air pockets and turning over the soil.
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