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Underground Ecosystem
by Meredith O'Reilly 19 Comments

Ahhh, the soil. Its a world within a world, and learning about it can be a most eyeopening experience. After all, many of us grew up with the idea that soil is just a dark inorganic layer of minerals, but today scientists know that there is an entire ecosystem in existence in healthy soil. The interactions of all the living creatures in the soil the biota form a food web, and each creature is a key part of the natural balance of the ecosystem. Ultimately, plants and larger animals depend on the soil biota its a symbiotic relationship across the board. Healthy soil is teeming with life, from tiny microscopic organisms to large arthropods and, in some places, earthworms. The numbers of organisms might be surprising a handful of healthy garden soil can contain 1 trillion bacteria, 10,000 protozoa, 10,000 nematodes, and 25 km of fungi. The presence of those microorganisms is critical because they are responsible for presenting nutrients in a form that plants use they are the core of a soils fertility. Soil contains both beneficial and pathogenic creatures. By improving the soil, we encourage the beneficial biota to grow and keep the ecosystem balanced and functioning. Lets take a closer look.

This Soil Food Web diagram from USDA shows that healthy soil hosts an entire ecosystem that plants and animals depend on.

At the lowest level of the food web is organic plant matter that provides nourishment for different fauna. This might be decaying matter or plant roots that secrete carbohydrates. Certain bacteria, fungi, and other organisms feed directly on this material they form the second group of organisms in the food web.

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Bacteria and fungi are vital parts of a soils ecosystem. They get a bad rap sometimes, thanks to certain pathogenic forms, but beneficial bacteria and fungi are critical in healthy soil. They help immobilize nutrients in the soil, and as they are consumed or they die, those nutrients are released. They also help build the soil structure by clumping together aggregates. And they help protect plants from diseases and pests by outcompeting the pathogens. Soil around roots, in particular, is rich in beneficial bacteria and fungi its an ongoing factory of nutrient processing. Mycorrhizae are some of the best-known fungi. They help roots become more efficient at absorbing nutrients. The lowest predators include the single-celled protozoa, as well as some arthropods and nematodes. The tiny arthropods feed on bacteria, fungi, and plant debris. The predatory nematodes are very beneficial the lower-level nematodes are root and plant feeders, but the higher-level nematodes will feed on bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and other nematodes, including the pathogenic nematodes. Beneficial nematodes also support root growth by recycling vital nutrients to the plants, while pathogenic nematodes harm plant roots by eating living plant tissue this is why we want to encourage the populations of the predatory nematodes they eat the bad guys! They also will help control populations of cutworms, fleas, fire ants, and many other pest bugs.

Organic matter sets the whole food web in action, from the tiny microscopic organisms to the "big" earthworms.

Other predators include arthropods and earthworms, which then become food for birds and other large animals. Larger arthropods, including spiders and centipedes, are natural predators that keep the soils ecoystem in balance, and they help recycle nutrients to the soil. Earthworms consume dirt, leaves, and other organic matter, and as such they also consume bacteria and other microorganisms present on that material. In many places, earthworms are considered beneficial garden helpers. They help mix the soil, help air and water reach plant roots, loosen compact soil, and have nutrientrich castings (poop). They are sensitive to the presence of pesticides and herbicides

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and are easily harmed or killed by such products, so when earthworms are present, they can be a good sign that you have healthy soil. But its important to note that in those areas that dont naturally have earthworms, such as areas in the northern United States, invasive earthworm species can greatly alter the ecosystem, more specifically forest growth in areas where leaf litter is being quickly consumed by the non-native wiggly decomposers. How do common farming and gardening practices affect soil? When synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are used on a lawn or garden, they disrupt the soil ecosystem, and the entire system is affected. Bacteria and other organisms that provided nutrients to plants get killed off, and the plants are forced to become dependent on the chemicals that killed off the organisms in the first place. Other common farming and gardening practices that can degrade the soil include compaction, excessive tilling and digging, and pollution. When the soils natural ecosystem is disrupted, a door opens to pests, disease, and plant growth problems.

Earthworms consume organic matter as well as microscopic organisms -- their castings are rich with nutrients that can benefit plants, provided the area naturally has earthworms. In some areas, such as parts of the northern U.S., invasive earthworms are actually harming the ecosystem.

How can you restore soil biology to its healthy state? First of all, stop all use of chemical herbicides, fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides. Adding compost to your soil and letting leaves stay on the ground will return organic matter and nutrients to the soil and help encourage the team of soil fauna to flourish. To speed things along, you can consider spraying compost tea (homemade or purchased from organic nurseries) on the soil as well as on the leaves. Compost tea is a liquid rich with tiny microbes that feed on the compost. Dont fight native soil, and instead learn to work with it. For example, rather than trying to make a clay soil more acidic for specific plants, choose plants that are native to the area and thrive in clay. You can provide mulch and aeration, and mixing in a

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little decomposed granite will help with drainage and break up the clay clumps for easier root growth. Just dont overwork the soil. Working with native soil allows native soil fauna to grow, and thats what you want. Encourage a diversity of microorganisms in the soil, and plants will have the resources they need in order to thrive. A natural healthy ecosystem above ground and below it! Meredith OReilly gardens for wildlife in Austin, Texas, and writes about her garden adventures at Great Stems. 2011 2012, Meredith OReilly. All rights reserved. This article is the property of BeautifulWildlifeGarden.com If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us