THE soil under our feet may contain a broader range of species than the tropical rain forests,
the habitats that are traditionally thought to hold the richest species diversity, scientists
have discovered.
Despite its huge ecological and economic importance, the soil that nourishes so much life
has been neglected in studies of the diversity of species, thought to be around 30 million in all.
The diversity of species in soils, whether from Brazil or Brighton, is unknown. At an
Anglo-US workshop that started yesterday at the Natural History Museum, 40 scientists
began to draw up the first practical steps towards discovering the variety present.
Genetic tests on soil from Scandinavia have revealed that there are 100 times more species of
bacteria than previously thought, said Dr Steve Blackmore, Keeper of Botany and Associate
Director of Life Sciences at the Natural History Museum.
There are estimates that the bacteria, microscopic worms called nematodes, fungi, mites and
other creepy crawlies in soil could account for between 80 and 90 per cent of the diversity of
the planet. "In terms of the undiscovered and undescribed species, a high proportion are in the soil," said Dr Blackmore.
The delegates are working to devise the necessary studies - what organisms to target; where to inventory to maximise the benefits from pooling expertise; and how to inventory.
