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oil is a complex, dynamic combination of minerals, air, water and organic matter. <br />.And although organic matter is a small fraction of the soil, it is a vital component. <br />It includes plant and animal debris in various stages of decay as well as many <br />living organisms -one teaspoon of a healthy soil can contain billions of beneficial bacteria <br />and fungi. <br />A cornerstone of Bay-Friendly landscaping is creating and protecting conditions for a <br />diversity of beneficial soil organisms. It is based on the principle of feeding the soil, not the <br />plant, to encourage a thriving community - a foodweb - of microorganisms, worms and <br />other beneficial creatures. Healthy soil is alive! <br />Why Does Soil Life Matter? <br />Living soil is teeming with bacteria, fungi, protozoa, beneficial <br />nematodes, worms and other beneficial organisms -amazing <br />workhorses that will carry out the following valuable processes: <br />/ Creating soil structure <br />/ Storing and cycling nutrients <br />/ Protecting plants from pests <br />/ Improving water infiltration and storage <br />/ Filtering out urban pollutants <br />Functions of a Healthy Living Soil <br />~ SurveySays... <br />SO% of single-family households <br />agree with the statement that <br />using compost in the yard is <br />good for the environment. <br />'" ~~< Jr„~ / ~ ~.eQ~'~ a: CSC <br />,~*: ~ a , <br />~ ~~. o ~. <br />,o <br /> <br />Store water <br />~ <br />and nutrients Neutralization <br />Much like a giant sponge, of pollutants <br />healthy soil acts as a <br />Healthy soil is the site of <br />storehouse for water and intensive physical, chemical <br />nutrients. The slow release Like the on/off function of a and biological activity, thus it <br />helps plants absorb the faucet, healthy soil regulates <br />can prevent water and air <br />correct amount. Asa and partitions water flow, pollution. Soil rich in organic <br />storage reservoir for both naturally maintaining the matter contains <br />water and nutrients, healthy ,~,iter cycle by slowly microorganisms that can <br />soil has a greater holding discharging to streams, lakes immobilize or degrade <br />capacity than soils that lack and recharging aquifers. <br />pollutants. <br />sufficient organisms, organic <br />matter and pore spaces. <br />ADAPTED FROM. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOIL AND WATER, KING COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />Living soil has an incredible <br />array of organisms, most of <br />which are beneficial. The <br />beneficial organisms protect <br />plants from disease through <br />predation, parasitization, <br />competition and antibiosis. <br />Bacteria, for example, cover <br />leaf surfaces and block <br />infection. Benefcial <br />nematodes prey on harmful <br />nematodes. <br />Q° b <br />w.. <br />ti ~ <br />~ ~. <br />27 <br /> <br />