Life in soil: The formation of soil in Rannoch Forest
The ancient forest of Rannoch in Scotland reveals the complexity of soil through the ages.
Isabelle Legeron visits the ancient forest of Rannoch with soil scientist Richard Bardgett. Amidst the huge pines, hummocks and blueberries, they dig a small hole and channel down through soil horizons, revealing geological time, consider soil on Mars, taste the layers of the forest floor and tune to the incredible work between trees and fungi, pulsing beneath the surface.
With fellow soil scientists and ecologists Suzanne Simard (Canada), Matthias Rillig (Germany), Ron Amundson (USA), David Montgomery (USA) and Katie Field (UK).
Presenter: Isabelle Legeron
Producer: Kate Bland
A Cast Iron Radio production for the BBC World Service
(Photo: Layers of soil below a tree)
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