What if I told you the ground beneath your feet is the hardest working part of our planet? In our latest blog “healthy soil, healthy food”, we explored why healthy soil is important and how it helps us in our daily lives (read more here). This week we will drive into the essential job soil performs in our ecosystem.

The Foundation of Life: supporting plant growth

I always say “All life begins and ends in the soil.” When we create space for biodiverse ecosystems to thrive within the soil, all other life forms will be sustained. In my opinion this is one of soil’s most important jobs… supporting plant growth! Healthy soil is a spaced for anchoring plant roots. The moist, loamy material offers these hair-like structures to move through its network finding the water and nutrients the plant needs. It even has the capacity to create a method for communication through life forms such as mycorrhizal fungi. Working in partnership; healthy soil, plant roots, and nature are able to protect our plants, causing them to produce nutrient dense whole foods that will go on to feed people, animals, and soil.

 
The Great Recycler: nutrient cycling

Healthy soil is the worlds best recycler, taking organic matter and breaking it down into humus and distributing essential macro nutrients, micro nutrients, and trace minerals throughout the soil to support the living network that dwells within. This natural process is called decomposition and is driven by earths tiniest caretakers. Microbes; such as bacteria and protozoa, breakdown organic matter at the microscopic level. During this process, they release enzymes that speed up the decomposition process and convert the organic matter into simple compounds making nutrients readily available to plants another organisms. Next step is the muscle behind the decomposition process, fungi. It is responsible for breaking down tough organic materials like cellulose and lignin. These materials can be found in things like plant fiber. But, it doesn’t stop there! Fungi also forms mycorrhizal networks. These networks are like highways and roads where nutrients can be transported across soil.

Last but not least; my favorite friends in decomposition… WORMS! Earthworms breakdown organic matter by ingesting and digesting. This process in turn produces nutrient rich casting (i.e. worm poop) that enhances soil structure and fertility.

Through the recycling of organic matter our crop yields are boosted and our soil structure improves, contribute contributing to food security and overall environmental health.

Learn more about worms and Vermicomposting at www.pgwormfarm.com.

 
The Water Regulator: storing and filtering water

Soil plays the huge role in retaining water through its structure and organic content. When soil is healthy, it acts as a sponge absorbing and storing water when it rains or snow; and then, serves as a reserve of moisture during dry periods. Well structured soil has a balance of both macro-pores (water infiltration) and micro-pores (water retention). These areas insure water is available for plant roots as they are essential for building soil particles and creating channels that improve infiltration and storage.

One of my favorite things about soil; that many don’t know, is that healthy soil acts as a filter for pollutants. This process gives us cleaner water as soil particles trap sediments and debris to prevent the contamination of groundwater, while clay particles and organic matter binds with heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants. This reduces their ability to travel through the soil and contaminate our water. And then come our microbe friends breaking down organic pollutants like fertilizers and oils into less harmful compounds. This symbiotic relationship highlights the critical role soil plays when addressing water related challenges.

 
The Climate Ally: carbon storage

As we journey toward a green or more environmentally stable future, let’s chat about one of healthy soil’s most impactful jobs; carbon sequestration. Soil is one of the planets largest carbon sinks, meaning it can hold more carbon than it releases. It has the capacity and hold more CO2 than the atmosphere and plants combined. Through carbon sequestration, healthy soil can mitigate climate change and restore our collective home… Earth!

 
The Habitat Provider: homes for billions

Within 1 teaspoon of healthy soil there are more organisms than there are people on earth. Healthy soil supports many of earths tiny inhabitants, microorganisms, insects, to other creatures we may not even know about. What we humans call dirt, is a cozy home for our tiny neighbors. In order to have a thriving ecosystem we need beautiful biodiversity.

Someways we can help soil continue being a home for billions is:

• Leave the leaves! Not only does this aid in building soil structure, it provides warmth and safety for birds, bees, and beyond. 
• Don’t chop your garden plants down until spring. This insures the biodiversity in your area has additional space to hunker down during the colder months.

 
The Erosion Defender: preventing degradation

Along with the other jobs mention previously, soil is imperative for stabilizing landscapes and preventing erosion. What is erosion you ask…? Erosion, is the process of soil being removed by wind, water, or other natural forces. This process affects us many ways, but one of the most harmful impacts it has is on agriculture and our food system. When our soil is healthy, erosion is much less likely to occur which allows us to have more reliable food system set in place, while also allowing plants and people to thrive.

The Waste Manager: breaking down pollutants

One of the most powerful jobs of soil is its capacity to detoxify and degrade harmful substances (more on that HERE). It also does an amazing job of taking food waste and contributes to building healthy soil; and as we know, healthy soil is the foundation of life, healing, and restoration for us all.

Now that we know how powerful and important soil is, I’m sure many of you are wondering what is next.

How can you build and protect the soil where you are?

• plant cover crops year around. Fun fact: it makes a beautiful, productive lawn!
• Compost your kitchen scraps.
• Use natural fertilizers such as vermicompost and compost on your lawn and garden.
• Avoid tilling and soil disturbance.
• Support regenerative farmers.
• Reduce the use of chemicals inside and outside.
• Share this information with those in your community!

Together we can have a huge impact by taking small steps towards supporting the many jobs of soil.