under our feet
It ’ s not Just Dirt
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PETE WALTON
I n a single handful of soil , there are more living organisms than humans on earth . This complex community is composed of trillions of bacteria , fungi , protozoa , nematodes , isopods , insects , plants , and animals all working together in harmony . Everything on earth depends on a healthy soil biome for clean air , water , and food . Unfortunately , humans have had a largely destructive impact on this essential biological system , and it is now imperative to redirect the path of soil health for future generations .
The symptoms of mistreating the soil are clear : polluted air and water , declining biodiversity , and disease across all species that has led to what is commonly accepted as mass extinction facing many species . As we ’ ve made our global farm practices more “ efficient ,” we must also look at the negative impact some of these practices have
had on the most important system of all : life of our planet . Modern agriculture has adopted many practices that disrupt the soil web , like the overuse of heavy machinery , poor water management , and the use of chemicals . And food grown in sick soil does not contain all the essential nutrients and minerals we need to maintain a healthy immune system .
Luckily , it is relatively easy to reestablish a healthy soil food web with active shifts in thinking and collective action , both in our gardens and on farm scale , steering food production systems towards more symbiotic relationships with the ecosystem .
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