Fighting erosion with mushrooms
The importance of organic matter in the topsoil cannot get overrated. Without organic matter, there is no life – neither below nor above ground. This is valid for all kind of properties – farms, gardens, footy ovals – you name it.
We already had a look at how Soil Organic Matter and its Soil Biology are in charge of biodiversity and nutrient density in our foods.
They play another critical role in soil integrity and the prevention of erosion, which works two ways.
Firstly, we have more and healthier plants with more and deeper roots in healthier soils, holding the ground together.
Secondly, if not disturbed, Bacteria and Fungi build vast networks underground stabilising the soil.
The colonies built by Fungi are called mycelium mats. The largest found is in Oregon – the humongous fungous. It is 10 square kilometres in size and estimated to be about 2,500 years old. Some date it even older. It is the oldest and largest living organism on the planet.
Those mycelium mats store nutrients and water.
In healthy forests, each tree is connected to others via this network, enabling them to share water and nutrients. There is not enough sunlight reaching their leaves to perform adequate photosynthesis for saplings growing in particularly shady areas. The sapling relies on nutrients and sugar from older, taller trees sent through the mycorrhizal network for survival.
Mushrooms are the fruit, and the mycelium is the plant. Mushrooms on the surface are a sign of functional soil biology and mycelium mats below ground. Next time you see a mushroom, stop and ponder the network underground it represents.
When you see mushrooms, what you won’t see in the vicinity are erosions. And the other way around, when I see erosion, I know what is not going on underground.
If there is erosion or a threat of one, we can even make mycelium mats. We inoculate hessian or similar material with mycelium spores, spread them on the affected ground, cover them with compost and mulch and presto – new soil biology in the making, erosion repaired or averted.
Soil Biology manages water in its capillaries, and the runoff after a downpour should be clear. If it is brown or even muddy topsoil is eroding in the surrounding land, carrying away our precious Soil Organic Matter and Soil Biology in its wake.
The same is valid for airborne topsoil. One morning several weeks ago all cars in the area were covered with a thick dusty crust – topsoil. Every time I see topsoil wasted this way; I get reminded about how fragile our environment is.
Please keep sending your questions and comments to hello@stefaniehildmann.com.
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