World Soil Day: Why is healthy soil so important?
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Soil is important to all of us in our everyday lives
Whether it's at home, at school or maybe in a plant pot, the chances are you're probably quite familiar with soil, but did you know it's far more than just dirt?
Soil is a combination of bits of rock, dead plants and animals, air and water.
Every year on 5 December, the amazing things it does are celebrated as part of World Soil Day.
Katy Jo Stanton from the Soil Association says it is "integral to our ecosystem health and stability".
A recent study estimates that more than half of all of Earth's species live in soil.
What is World Soil Day?
Soil is a mix of rock, animals, plants, air and water
This year the day hopes to teach people about the relationship between soil and water - around 95% of the food we eat every day relies on this relationship.
As part of celebrations this year, the Soil Association is reminding people of the importance of looking after the ground in the fight against climate change.
To help spread the message, it is encouraging people to share photos they have taken from the ground with a 'worm's eye view'.
Soil is alive
1 gram of soil contains more organisms than the number of people living on Earth
Most things living in soil are so small you can't see them with the naked eye
Worms are a good sign of healthy soil
Soil takes hundreds of years to form
Why is soil so important?
People are being encouraged to share pictures with a 'worm's eye view'
Not only does soil help with the production of the majority of food which lands on our plates, it is also important in other ways.
Katy says it provides a massive ecosystem services and its importance is up there with clean air and water.
She says it provides habitats and food for humans and animals and is part of the ecosystem that can "help up combat flooding and drought, it also stores carbon so it can help to combat climate change."
What can we do to help?
Worms are a sign of healthy soil
Katy says there are plenty of things you can do to help protect the soil, so it can help support us as humans, she says everyone can do a little bit "small changes can make a massive difference."
She suggests trying to grow a fruit or vegetable crop.
Some plants can attract beneficial to insects and help to lock in more carbon from the atmosphere.
"Tell your friends, raise awareness for healthy soil and show you care about the climate and nature and engage with your community," she said.
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