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Window Onto Nature's: The Mysteries, Benefits And Wonders Of Nature's Underworld
Window Onto Nature's: The Mysteries, Benefits And Wonders Of Nature's Underworld
Date: 2022-10-27
Under the horizontal surface of our daily vision there is an amazing world of activity and manufacture for our extreme benefit. Soil Health and Quality are Key Drivers for ambience and sustainability of our Parks, Gardens, Eco Estates and agricultural Lands. There are many different types of Soil. The composition may be loamy, sandy or contain clay deposits. Then there is division into two main parts, one originating from rock or stone particles, the other is made up of decaying organic material.
When broken down this is "humus" Ñ essential to Soil Quality. When embarking on any avenue of cultivation the first guideline is to obtain reliable and regular Soil Analysis to unlock the door to efficient Soil Management. Where mono cropping has occurred for many decades, sugar cane being an example, the nutrient composition and pH levels will show imbalance. The Fertility Analysis will determine the requirements for a specific crop or area; with good quality organic compost, dolomitic lime and recommended nutrients the depletion can be reversed.
Where Nature has escaped man's 'disturbance and modification' the Natural biological progression of decomposition is a Key Factor. The plant and animal residue during decomposition comprises approximately 50% carbon, but for every 1 % increase in organic matter it is noted that the Soil draws down 10 times more carbon from the atmosphere and retains an estimated 140,000 litres of water per hectare. Where crop residue is spread over the surface this further increases water infiltration and reduces erosion. Burning cellulose material is not an option and increases atmospheric pollution and related ill health.
A positive example is where cane trash is gathered in windrows, with roots remaining in the Soil to ensure stability. The old Biblical maximum applies in Nature, the seventh day is a time of REST. A "fallow" year planted with a leguminous crop will restore nitrogen and pay dividends.
Under the surface lies a playground for the burrowing, burying and wriggly creates who all play significant roles. Crickets and a range of insects create varying burrows, which enhance water seepage. Then the Golden Mole species, widespread from the Cape to Mozambique, are essential underground gardeners with constant burrowing and tunnels. This underground architecture not only aerates the soil, but the leaf gathering, carried below the surface increases decaying matter. Then our Earthworms take centre stage in terms of ingestion of soil and matter, with their "castings" enhancing the pH to around 7 regardless of the Soil. Even if the soil is acid the "castings" will be neutral. These cold-blooded invertebrates with segmented bodies have been recorded in History together with the Scarab or "Dung" beetle. The Dung beetles clear away and then bury the droppings of the larger animals, returning the phosphates, nitrogen and carbon.
In the days of the Pharaohs these natural cultivators were prized and given "Sacred" status. Today, with continuity of Care and Protection of Nature's Underworld our Soil Health and Quality can ACHIEVE REVERSAL, with significant benefit to the Health and Well-being of mankind. A new AWAKENING is here!Nature's LORES of the Underworld!! A new AWAKENING for today's society.