Ecosystem of the soil

Soil is where life starts, it is the basis of everything we eat. There is an entire ecosystem in the soil. This is known as the soil food web. Nematodes, arthropods, spiders, fungi, earthworms and more live within the soil, forming a mutually beneficial relationship to plants. Through photosynthesis, plants pull carbon dioxide down into the soil, converting it into carbohydrates and sugars which is then expelled through their roots as food for microorganisms. In turn, these microorganisms provide nutrients, enhance soil structure, enhance plant growth, health, and resiliency.

We can take notes from the natural cycles of the ecological systems in our world to understand what it means to build healthy soil. Agroecological practices tell us that we are not simply tending plants, we are tending soil as well.

The dawn of profit-driven agriculture due to colonization meant that “it took only a few decades of intense tillage to drive over 50 percent of the original organic matter from the soil into the sky as carbon dioxide” (Penniman 87). Disrupting the soil disrupts the soil ecosystem and all its multied benefits. Over time, soil becomes compacted, nutrient deficient and barren, and vulnerable to pests and disease. Conventional farming prevents carbon from being stored and transformed, driving climate change, as “the initial anthropogenic rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels was due to [the] breakdown of soil organic matter” (Penniman 88). Implementing practices that support life in the soil restores our relationship to our environment while providing a healthy, vibrant foundation of which our plants are able to grow.

Indicators for assessing healthy soil include: lots of organic matter (compost, straw, decomposing plant material), loamy structure that holds water well, a diverse community of soil organisms, near neutral pH, and presence of macro and micronutrients determined through a soil test. See some tips for building healthy soil, adapted from Farming While Black and USDA “Soil Health Management.”

Healthy soil tips: -Keep your soil covered as much as possible. Lay mulch or straw to exposed soil to retain moisture and prevent erosion. -Add compost to introduce microorganisms and nutrients to your soil ecosystem. -Disturb soil as little as possible, use tools like a tilther instead of a till. -Promote biodiversity and minimize chances of pests and disease by planting companion plants in the same beds or rows and practice crop rotation. -Collect and spread fallen autumn leaves over your soil as mulch. -Plant cover crops over the winter.

Photo credit: Rachel Ruiz