Underground ecosystems

Underground ecosystems are subterranean habitats which are largely hidden below the ground. Important components of underground ecosystems to consider are soil, root networks, mycorrhizal fungi, and microbial populations. SPUN's goal is to highlight the crucial role the underground plays in supporting life aboveground. Prominent examples of ecosystem services delivered by the underground are nutrient cycling, carbon (re)sequestration, and water storage and purification.