Bacteria exist in extraordinary abundance and diversity within healthy soils. They participate in decomposition, nutrient transformation and relationships with plant roots. The rhizosphere — the zone immediately surrounding living roots — is an area of particularly intense biological activity because plants release carbon compounds that support microbial communities [REF].
Certain bacteria also form important relationships with legumes, helping convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically useful forms [REF]. This is one reason plants such as clovers, peas, beans, lupins and vetch are so valuable within regenerative systems.
If fungi are among the architects of living soil, bacteria are part of its enormous unseen workforce.