The World of Roots Beneath Our Feet
If you’re standing on dirt, there’s a complex network of interactions right below your feet. Plant roots and the surrounding soil host a huge variety of organisms and processes. The organisms include incredible numbers of microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These organisms break down organic matter (like dead leaves) and store carbon in the soil. This underground space influenced by plant roots is called the rhizosphere. Even though this area has huge effects on climate and environmental systems, there’s much that scientists don’t know about it.
