As the world grows more urbanized and our agricultural system moves away from traditional practices, it’s important to remember that living soil is a microcosm. It contains a diverse range of fungus, bacteria, protozoa, earthworms, nematodes and arthropods that work together to break down organic matter, produce nutrients for plants, and even symbiotically attach themselves to roots in mycorrhizae.
Microcosm studies can be used to develop and test theories that are difficult to sustain over long periods of time in natural systems, such as the temporal dynamics of invasive species effects [72]. Unfortunately, critical assumptions about scale, container effects, and spatial heterogeneity hamper the applicability of most microcosm research to natural systems, making choosing the right size pot important.
This paper evaluates and compares two transparent soil microcosm (TS) substrates – Nafion and cryolite – for their ability to enable non-destructive stable isotope probing of the location, morphology and growth status of microbial communities. The TS substrates described here, which are compatible with Raman microspectrometry and other imaging techniques, open the door to directly testing a host of outstanding questions in soil microbial ecology and ecophysiology.
It’s a Magical Kingdom
Soil has a wild, magical quality to it that we can sometimes forget. Whether you are in your backyard vegetable garden or hiking in the forest, paying attention to the soil allows you to connect with its deeper, wild magic. It can also provide a source of creative inspiration for many of us.
You can learn to sense the energy of the soil by observing how it feels to you when you touch, walk on, and interact with it. Use your body to feel how different types of soil nourish you, stabilize you, energize you, and refresh you. This way, you can begin to build a connection and understand how the different qualities of soil are part of a larger web of life.
In this way, you can honor the spirit of the soil, and reciprocate blessings and abundance. You can even start to hear the song of the soil, as it sings back to you in a tune that resonates with you. If a song does come to you, make sure you record it so that you can remember it later and maybe incorporate it into your practice. This is one of many ways that you can cultivate a deep, loving relationship with the living world of the soil and unlock its hidden, wild mysteries.
It’s a Source of Nutrition
The organisms found in living soil make it nutrient-rich. Just a tablespoon of soil contains billions of microorganisms. These organisms include all the bacteria, archaea and protozoa on Earth plus a variety of types of fungi and algae. In a healthy soil, these microorganisms work together to break down organic matter and create a cycle of nutrients for plants.
You might call it sandy, silty or clay-based, but these terms simply refer to a texture in the soil. The term “living soil” refers to a complex underground ecosystem filled with bacteria, fungi, protozoa and larger creatures like nematodes and earthworms. These organisms create a balance of organic matter, minerals and spaces for air and water, creating ideal conditions for plant growth. They also decompose dead organic material and turn it into nutrient-rich food for trees, plants and grasses.
When you want to create a more balanced soil, you need to start with the right ingredients. Organic compost, vermicompost, peat moss and leaf mold are great starting points, but for the most benefit you need to add more organic material. Adding more organic material allows your soil to be colonized by more beneficial microorganisms, such as mycorrhizae and rhizobia. Our Oregonism XL, a highly concentrated source of these microorganisms, can help get your soil off to the best start possible.