Deep, Down and Dirty: The Science of Soil Page #2
- Year:
- 2014
- 51 min
- 236 Views
and twigs, it produces a rich
substance we call humus that becomes
part of the soil itself.
But the fungus is doing another
crucial job.
most of us don't even know exists.
Using specialist microphotography,
we can catch a rare glimpse
of an astonishing hidden kingdom...
..teeming with weird,
almost alien-looking life.
Millions of tiny creatures,
all of which are dependent
on nutrients being
released by the fungi.
These are nematodes,
tiny, round worms.
Scientists think there may be up
to half a million
species of these
wriggling in the soil.
There are mites, tiny
relatives of spiders and scorpions.
Tardigrades, often called 'water
bears' due to their cute appearance.
And rotifers, fascinating little
creatures that can propel themselves
through the soil using special hairs
that appear to revolve like a wheel.
This is the first great
secret of the soil. A vast,
living kingdom of tiny animals.
As they move around, eat
and are in turn eaten themselves,
they spread the essential nutrients
released by the fungi.
Helping to make the soil a more
fertile place for growing plants.
'Yet so far
we've only seen how fungi
'begin the process of unlocking
those nutrients.
'Breaking down all the tough remains
of dead plants is too large
'a job for fungi alone.
'But they have a secret ally
underground.
'An animal whose impact on the soil
is greater than any other.'
When it comes to ecosystems,
not all organisms are created equal.
By that, what I mean is the work
of one or two species will allow
hundreds of others to thrive.
One such animal is so important it's
been called an ecosystem engineer.
In this field, there might well be
over two million of them.
There are no prizes for guessing
which animal I'm seeking out here.
It's one that's inspired
generations of horticulturists
and agriculturists.
It is possibly the greatest
gardener on earth.
And it's this, the humble earthworm.
As a gardener,
I've long known that worms play
an important role in soil.
The great Charles Darwin devoted
over 40 years of study
to them, culminating in the
publication of his seminal work,
The Formation Of Vegetable Mould
Through The Actions Of Worms
With Observations On Their Habits.
You may not have heard of it,
but it sold faster
than On The Origin Of Species.
Darwin's studies, lesser known
than his work on evolution,
revealed an organism that was
essential for the life of the soil.
He fed them different diets,
tested their intelligence
What is about the earthworms
that beguiled Darwin?
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