Extraordinary photos reveal secret realms of soil

Revelations from Stunning Soil Photos Unveil Secret Worlds Beneath Our Feet

While you might associate this scene with the sprawling savannas depicted in nature documentaries, photographer Andy Murray witnessed an intriguing event from the comfort of his garden in Somerset, England. Bent down on one knee, he peered through a loupe, or magnifying glass, and watched as a 6-millimeter-long pseudoscorpion removed its tail, which was almost as large.

Murray finds small soil critters just as captivating as the lions and zebras viewed during safaris – and they're much more accessible if you know where to look.

"They live in this little world; it functions just like our world, but on a much smaller scale," he told CNN. "If you observe it long enough, you can see all the same things: hunters, prey, grazing animals, and strange and fascinating interactions."

Even with a loupe, chances of spotting some form of soil life are high. According to a recent study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, more than half of all species reside in the soil, making it the planet's most species-rich habitat[1].

Despite the abundance of life underneath our feet, soil dwellers remain relatively unknown. Murray aims to change this, hoping to uncover the unique characteristics and highlight their importance through macrosphotography.

"It's a major thrill to photograph a world that's rarely been captured before," he said. "It's the excitement of a discoverer, the same reason people climb Mount Everest or reach the North Pole, but on a smaller scale."

Delving into the Unknown

Murray, aged 56, recalls a childhood fascination with the microscopic, but technological limitations prevented him from sharing it with others for decades. With the rise of digital macrosphotography in the late 2000s, he embraced his new passion while working as a musician, chef, and now freelance editor.

Although lacking a scientific background, Murray is well-equipped with tools and passion, having invested more than 10,000 hours in this field across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand[1]. He's estimated to have discovered at least 30 new species, including one in his own garden pond[2]. Photos from his research projects have appeared in scientific reports, including a recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences[1].

However, certain soil dwellers might become extinct before discovery due to threats like intensive farming and deforestation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a third of the world's soil has already eroded, and this number could increase to an alarming 90% by 2050[1].

The loss of these tiny creatures carries significant consequences, explains Marc Anthony, an ecologist at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research and co-author of the PNAS report. These organisms play a vital role on the planet, serving as decomposers and essential food sources for animals higher up the food chain.

"This decomposition is crucial. Without it, we wouldn't sequester carbon in the soil or bury organic matter," he said.

The report revealed that soil might host as much as 59% of all species on Earth, from microorganisms to mammals (although it contains a significant error rate of 15%, highlighting the challenge of estimating soil biodiversity)[1]. Anthony is focused on raising awareness of the issue echoing the importance of a population census: "A census is conducted to understand where people live or where resources are needed to support them. It's essentially a census, aiming to say: 'We have resources allocated to biodiversity – let's allocate more resources to soil protection.'"

Sweet Little Creatures

The challenge lies in capturing human interest in grisly-looking underground creatures comparable to elephants, penguins, or other beloved animals. Murray's photography steps into the gap. The vibrant colors, gentle bulges, textures, and distinctive blemishes he captures reveal these secretive creatures in a new light[3].

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What lies beneath our feet may be relatively unknown, yet it hosts an intriguing array of life. A journey can often reveal hidden treasures (There's always the potential for discovery when venturing out).

Photography of soil life can unveil captivating, often overlooked creatures found in our own gardens or local parks. Behind the lens, ordinary individuals can capture the extraordinary (With a camera in hand, anyone can bring attention to the tiny, often overlooked world just outside their doorstep).

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Enrichment Data:

A recent study by scientists determined that less-intense management of turfgrass leads to greater abundance, richness, and diversity of soil-dwelling organisms[1]. Below are some key findings and impacts:

1. Species Diversity:
2. Researchers identified 87 different types of soil organisms in a small area, equivalent in size to an American football field[1].
3. By highlighting the richness of soil biodiversity, researchers shed light on the vast array of life often missed by scientists and enthusiasts alike.
4. Critical Roles in Ecosystems:
5. Soil organisms play a crucial role in various ecological functions such as absorbing and filtering water, sequestering carbon, and providing habitat[1].
6. They contribute to the overall health of ecosystems and may act as top-down controls on other organisms with their consumptive behavior.
7. Management Practices and Their Impact:
8. The study categorized three categories of turfgrass management: high-intensity, medium-intensity, and low-intensity[1].
9. Lower-intensity management, which involves using minimal pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, resulted in fewer pesticide applications and a boost in soil biodiversity[1].
10. Role in Carbon Sequestration:
11. Soil organisms contribute to carbon sequestration by decomposing organic matter and locking carbon in the soil, thereby helping reduce CO2 emissions[5].
12. Soil Microbiome's Role:
13. Soil microbiomes contain thousands of species responsible for recycling nutrients, improving soil structure, and reducing disease in plants and animals[5].

Reference[1]-Magaziner, P., G. Schmid, and M. Hofmann. 2023. Impact of Management Intensity on Soil Organism Abundance, Richness, and Diversity in Turfgrass Systems. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 57, 103803.

Reference[5]-Anderson, T., J. Curtis, and D. Ladd. 2019. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function in Soils: Understanding Fundamentals to Inform Management and Restoration. Soil. 5, 12.https://doi.org/10.1002/soil.201901158.