We spend billions of pounds on the exploration of space but still cannot identify everything that is in our soils. Chemists have spent centuries prying into the chemical components of soil, but there are numerous molecules within it that they have no idea of what they are.
Considered a non-renewable resource, as historically it can have taken 1,000 years to create an inch-wide layer of soil and thousands more for it to acquire the necessary minerals and organic matter to create fertility and support life on Earth. We are best not killing it in the first place.
The things that live in soil are essential to its health and therefore essential to human life. They are also responsible for the soils ability to store carbon and water and are a front-line defence against climate change. They can also be extremely weird and wonderful and are often mistaken for pests. In many instances they look like Aliens.
Understanding soil; the Earth’s dynamic skin, is central to getting the most from our land. Explore this wonderful world and learn about its characters, how to cultivate them and regenerate our soils.