Soil is full of amazing living things, from super tiny creatures you need a microscope to see, to bigger wriggly worms and busy ants!
What Lives in Soil?
There are many different kinds of living things making their home in the soil. They are all important for keeping the soil healthy.
Based on what we know, the living organisms found in soil include:
Tiny Soil Life
Many soil creatures are so small you can't see them without help!
- Archaea and Bacteria: These are incredibly tiny, single-celled organisms. They are like the cleanup crew of the soil, breaking down dead plants and other things.
- Actinomycetes: These are a type of bacteria that look a bit like tiny fungi. They help break down tough stuff in the soil.
- Fungi: Just like mushrooms you might see above ground, tiny fungi live underground. They help connect plants and break down dead stuff.
- Algae: These are tiny plant-like organisms that can make their own food, especially near the surface where there is light.
- Protozoa: These are tiny animal-like creatures that swim in the water found in soil. They like to eat bacteria.
Bigger Soil Life
You can often spot these soil dwellers!
- Soil Fauna: This is a fancy name for all the animals living in the soil. There are lots of different kinds!
- Smaller Animals:
- Springtails and Mites: These are tiny bugs that live among soil particles.
- Nematodes: These are tiny worms, some help plants, and some don't!
- Larger Animals:
- Earthworms: Famous for wiggling through the soil, they eat dirt and leave behind nutrient-rich castings that help plants grow.
- Ants: Build nests and tunnel systems, moving soil around.
- Insects: Many insects spend part or all of their lives in the soil, like beetle larvae or cicada nymphs.
- Burrowing Rodents: Even bigger animals like mice, voles, or gophers make tunnels and homes underground.
- Smaller Animals:
Here is a simple way to look at some of the living things found in soil:
| Type of Soil Life | Examples | How Big? | What They Do (Simply) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Tiny (Microbes) | Archaea, Bacteria, Actinomycetes, Fungi, Algae, Protozoa | Need a microscope | Break things down, help plants, eat microbes |
| Smaller Animals | Springtails, Mites, Nematodes | Very small bugs | Eat tiny things, help break down stuff |
| Larger Animals | Earthworms, Ants, underground Insects, Burrowing Rodents | Can see easily | Dig tunnels, eat dirt, move soil around |
All these living things work together to make the soil a healthy place for plants to grow! The soil contains archaea, bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae, protozoa, and a wide variety of larger soil fauna including springtails, mites, nematodes, earthworms, ants, and insects that spend all or part of their life underground, even larger organisms such as burrowing rodents.
