Soil Diversity is Great

Soil microorganisms are a pest,

Releasing petagrams of C O two

As a by-product of what they digest.

Whilst nitrogen deposits do accrue,

More harmful greenhouse gases will ensue.

But if the soil diversity is great,

Small animals can then graze their way through

These microorganisms at a rate

That may reduce the feedback before it’s too late.

This is a Spenserian stanza, written about this study, which investigates how diverse soil communities can help offset the impacts of global warming.