What are the most poorly researched habitats on Earth? Remote environments such as volcanic vents on the ocean floor or lakes hidden under Antarctica's ice must feature prominently on the list. But it might come as a surprise to learn that some ecologists would also include the top metre of dirt in your garden. Terrestrial ecologists have always given at least some thought to the chemistry and physical structure of the soil. But only recently have they begun to understand that soil biodiversity is a crucial factor in regulating how ecosystems function.
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