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Under your feet

Under your feet

Bacteria, fungi, worms and insects live in the soil. Just one handful of garden soil can contain millions of micro-organisms.

Decomposition

Dead leaves, roots and insects don’t decompose into the soil on their own. Bacteria and fungi break down these natural materials. In the process, they release nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate that plants can use. This cycle of decomposition keeps the soil from becoming depleted.

Earthworms

Earthworms eat natural materials which they mix with the soil. As they dig, they create tunnels that let air in and allow oxygen and water to flow underground. Plants also use these tunnels for their roots.

Fungi

Many plants work with fungi. Fungal threads around plant roots help them absorb nutrients from the soil. In return, the fungi get sugars from plants. This partnership is common in gardens and parks.

Connected

Fungal threads can connect groups of plants with each other. Nutrients and signalling molecules are exchanged across these networks. The soil is actually one huge underground network.

How old can an underground fungal network become?

Together

The soil is a community of organisms that all work together. The mix of species determines whether processes run well and whether plant growth is stable.

The species living underground form the basis for everything you see above ground.

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