Soil is where it all begins. Above ground, plants interact with each other and with their environment. Below ground, plants work together with soils. Soil types vary due to parent material, topography, and climate. Beyond this, vibrant biological activity determines the health and long-term success of plantings.
Healthy soil is Earth’s single most diverse habitat. Nearly 60% of all species live in soil including everything from microbes to mammals. Because science learns more every day about life underground, that number could skyrocket. The number has more than doubled over the past two decades. The smallest–the microorganisms–populate a fascinating and complex system. These include mycorrhizae, protozoa, nematodes, and bacteria. These tiny creatures are invisible to the naked eye. Mycorrhizae are special fungal filaments that extend root systems. They do best with various plant species and roots of varied depths. Their symbiotic relationship is critical to the plant’s effective nutrient and water absorption. When balanced, these organisms break down elements with powerful chemistry. Then, roots can absorb usable nutrients and benefit the plant.
Our soil is also home to Earth’s species. It contains 99% of its Enchytraeidae worms, 90% of its fungi, 86% of its plants, over 50% of its bacteria, and 3% of its mammals. Healthy soil can contain up to a billion bacteria and more than 1km of fungi. Together, these creatures make a bustling community. And soil’s level of vibrancy impacts how plants–from crops to forests–grow and thrive.
Carried one step further, rich, soil biodiversity affects everything for a sustainable planet. Healthy, vibrant soil affects climate change feedback and human health. It can mitigate harmful pathogens, reduce soil compaction, and increase available plant nutrients. Together, these microorganisms help soil aggregates absorb water without breaking apart. They also help soil hold moisture during drought.
Fertilizers also feed plants, but alone, fertilizers are far from enough. Plants need sustained nutrition not only with periodic fertilizer application. For this, you must get back to carbon, the foundation of life. Soil fungi breaks down solid carbon chains and prevents their escape. Bacteria then reorganize them to help make nutrients available as needed by plants.
Whether it’s for the backyard or back forty, soil diversity is key to landscape success.
Intensive farming and urban landscape practices have degraded much of the earth’s soil. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides deteriorate soil health. As life dwindles in soil, soil becomes less resilient. Erosion claims billions of tons of fertile soil each year. Pollution, deforestation, and climate change also damage soil.
But those trends can slow and reverse with improved agricultural and landscape practices. With fewer chemical fertilizers and pesticides, soils can see increased biodiversity. Environmentally sound practices can be especially rewarding at the agricultural level.
Grazing systems that encourage plant diversity usually have higher soil biodiversity. Native grasses for forage include switchgrass, big bluestem, Eastern gamma, and Indiangrass. These grasses are heat- and drought-tolerant and offer good summer pasturage. These are excellent alternatives to introduced grasses. like tall fescue and bermudagrass. Besides restoring soil biodiversity, native perennials improve wildlife habitat and slow erosion. They also create suitable cover for upland bird species such as northern bobwhite.
Sustainable management practices are also encouraged. These practices include the use of minimal or no-till cultivation and increased use of native perennial plants. Farming should also take the capabilities of the soil and topography into account. Returning crop stubble to the soil supports earthworms and similar surface feeders. Roots and decaying plant material also support a variety of organisms in the soil. Crop rotation and management techniques like agroforestry help increase soil organic matter. These practices increase soil stability and soil biodiversity. Production systems like these also break disease cycles and use water more efficiently.
Native species are important to our mission to ‘restore Earth’s ecosystem one tree at a time’. We also know they are key to helping restore the Earth’s vibrant, healthy soil. We have the inventory and expertise to help you with landscape projects of any scope. In the backyard or the back forty!
Contact a team member during the planning phase of your urban forestry project. We can give recommendations and information on native plant availability.
Forrest Keeling… it’s where the best trees begin!