"News Feature" in 'Nature' on the soil ecosystem

24 October 2008

In the 9 October 2008 issue of Nature, a News Feature was published written by Amber Dance. The feature addresses the soil ecosystem and the groups of organisms that are present in soil. Amongst the scientists that present their views is Dutch professor Wim van der Putten who works at the Dutch Institute for Ecological Research (NIOO Heteren). The unfathomable reservoir of biodiversity gives rise to one of his dream: being one day able, by analysing a DNA sample from soil, to tell the secies present there and their roles and functions. The importance of soil functions is illustrated by the wealth they generate annually for mankind: 1.5 trillion dollars ($ 1.500.000.000.000).

The importance of soil biodiversity for man and planet as a whole?  We've hardly begun to have a clue.

source: Amber Dance in Nature, October 9th 2008