Warmer winters in normally snowy places can interfere with the important activities of microbes in the soil.

When you look out across a snowy winter landscape, it might seem like nature is fast asleep. Yet, under the surface, tiny organisms are hard at work, consuming the previous year’s dead plant material and other organic matter.

These soil microorganisms – Earth’s recyclers – liberate nutrients that will act as fertilizer once grasses and other plants wake up with the spring snowmelt.

Originally published on theconversation.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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