Beneath our feet, a world of mixtures
Soil contains water and air too.
Includes an activity to try →Explore: From the ground to the water, follow the connections →Read here and view sources
The ground is not a solid block: mineral particles and organic matter share space with water, air and organisms. Rock, climate and living things all take part in soil formation.
Looking only at the surface leaves much life undiscovered. This explanation helps explore gardens and woods, but does not replace an analysis of Cabeceiras’s soils.
Life is not evenly distributed. FAO describes areas of intense activity near roots, where plant remains accumulate, and along the walls of earthworm tunnels. The immediate surroundings of a root have a name: the rhizosphere. Thinking about these small zones helps explain why two nearby pieces of soil can offer different conditions to organisms.
Some inhabitants are unlikely to be seen on a walk. Bacteria take part in transforming organic matter; some associate with roots and contribute to nitrogen fixation. Fungi also break down remains and can form relationships with plants. They do not all do the same job: soil brings together overlapping activities, from feeding to the transformation of materials.
A covering of leaves is more than a finishing layer on a woodland floor. It is material that can feed this community. In the interview published by the Gulbenkian, the researchers recommend retaining some leaf litter in green spaces and avoiding frequent deep disturbance of the soil. These are general conservation guidelines, not an assessment or prescription for every plot in the municipality.
Source and context
FAO — What is soil biodiversity?
Accessed: . Editorial summary; the date of consultation is not the date of the facts.