The Micro World Right Under Your Feet

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Hosted by Hank Green:
Twitter: / hankgreen
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Music by Andrew Huang:
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Journey to the Microcosmos is a Complexly production.
Find out more at www.complexly.com

[@rotifer]

*Rhizosphere strip malls are also one of the best places to go grocery shopping! It's my go-to place in search for soluble sugar, amino acid cakes, and enzyme supplements, and best of all, it's all home grown, low-molecular weight, and 100% organic!* *If I'm in a hurry though, I just take the express way through the mucilage tunnels (highly recommend!)*

[@justincarnes1553]

This is a first... the clout chasing rotifer lol

[@teacul]

It's also a dangerous place for you however. Plants team up with mycorrhizal fungi who make a network that hunts you and your nematode friends that may feed on the plant roots.

[@roddyaxolotl8519]

@@teacul He’s a rotifer you uncultured moss swinelet

[@GordonFreechmen]

I’ve heard that express nutrient delivery by earthworm is starting to be a popular trend though.

[@Wired_User]

GordonFreechmen Highly recommended. Never underestimate just how important and tasty earthworms are. Without them, most fertile soil wouldn’t exist. They’re almost like a secondary rhizosphere of their own.

[@scienceprimo]

"...in millions of tiny ways you never notice" Unless you're a gardener. We're _obsessed_ with soil.

[@elizaalmabuena]

scienceprimo or for someone with a compost pile or worm bin

[@IdiotWithEducation]

Yup

[@richoleeplazo5755]

Very accurate

[@carpo719]

Amen to that my friend

[@DarkMage2k]

Or for someone just involved with dirt in a small scale.

[@harrybarrat3978]

As a soil scientist, this makes me so happy, it's the first time I've seen a video that actually is exciting and soil-related. You do it justice. I wanted to add that the Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas is a beautiful resource if people are interested in this kind of stuff.

[@holydiver588]

Oh thank you so much for this wonderful recommendation! This atlas is amazing! I used to study soil science in university and our professors always noted the importance of Dokuchaev works in this field, glad to see his works were appreciated in this book!

[@arielruy5457]

there's nothing better than opening youtube and seeing another video from this channel! thank you ❤

[@JoseGranny]

Um ... cheeseburgers 🍔

[@aboveanonymous4810]

Um ... cheeseburgers 🍔

[@ha-zg3gp]

Um ... cheeseburgers 🍔

[@moshpitjo1146]

Freeway we get it you have three accounts

[@SeanTrn]

Um ... beesechurgers 🏴

[@valenesco45]

I produce organic grapes in Italy, and I use a certain type of fungi that get attached to the roots of the trees and help them in a symbiotic cooperation. They're called mycorrhiza.

[@aleksanderlenartowicz5659]

mycorrhiza is the name of symbiotic relationship between plant and fungi, located at plant's roots, not name of your wineyard fungus ;). And actually most of plants have this relationship with fungi. All those nice mushrooms found in the forest? All symbiotic with trees.

[@elizaalmabuena]

Aleksander Lenartowicz not all of them, some are waiting for a wound in the bark or for a sick tree to chow down on. Some of the older trees can still manage even with those unwanted passengers.

[@sandrastreifel6452]

Mycorrhizae are a fascinating field of study. They’re the main way that plants can communicate with, and help each other out!

[@mmtruooao8377]

Mycorrhizae are wonderful to help extract the plant absorb more nutrients from the soil, and the plant provides an easy source of sugars to the fungi!

[@valenesco45]

@@aleksanderlenartowicz5659 Of course it's not their actual name, it's just the name we use to describe the type of fungus. And it's not how you think it should be, most fungi don't have the same symbiotic relationship, actually most of them cause diseases to crops. I'd like to introduce yourself to agriculture to find out more.

[@jacobstone3935]

I hope the dead nematode clip gets a background picture on patreon. It's like a Van Goth painting.

[@linefortier8595]

OH, yes...

[@parallellia1509]

Damn accurate.

[@randywatson8347]

Spot on.

[@naomilovenpeace]

My mom (M.S. in Forestry) and my brother (PhD student in Geology) once got into an actual fight over the definition of soil. My brother says it only has to have the ability to support life and my mother thinks it must contain life. Only my family would get in a heated debate over literal dirt 😐

[@missseaweed2462]

I think your mom won that one.

[@naomilovenpeace]

@@missseaweed2462 Personally I think my brother did actually. He mainly based is argument around the start of life on land on earth and if humans moved to other planets. I wasn't gonna get in the middle of it though lol

[@missseaweed2462]

@@naomilovenpeace I do believe that both of their ideas hold merit. I can see the arguments to both sides, and how drastic changes to the earth and extinctions may drive the debate in favor of one or the other. Their video on cyanobacteria and how its progressing an anoxic world into an oxygenized one would perhaps support your mom's argument, although I'm not sure I could elaborate on how. But your brother's idea surrounding the start of life makes a good point. Perhaps it is a positive feedback loop, of sorts. As larger and more complicated organisms come around, the dirt that can support these larger organisms must also support and contain life itself. Or something to that effect. What is your opinion?

[@naomilovenpeace]

@@missseaweed2462 I think I might be inherently bias on this topic since it's apparently a hot topic for my family lol. I think it might depend on your definition of life in the end

[@bedjentlewithme]

I'm not into microbiology or even biology I'm a math I but I absolutely adore this channel and it's shown me a new appreciation for our tiny friends and those who study them.

[@gibranhenriquedesouza2843]

Ad I am a physicist.

[@roxasparks]

@QTee there is really no such thing as right or left brains. You can still get into micro biology.

[@Life_42]

Mathematics is everywhere!

[@DieFlabbergast]

"I'm a math"?? And English is not one of your strong suits, obviously.

[@giantsquid2]

@QTee I'm a microbiologist, and we definitely use both our right brains and left brains. :)

[@carpo719]

One could spend.... years.... in their own backyard, doing macro photography. And never run out of material. It is wonderful

[@valenesco45]

So true ...I also have a wide open water tank, it's so big it grew up some water plants, and gave home to frogs and birds...if i had a microscope my mind would blow up seeing how many little creatures are in a drop of that water....the same water I also once drank lmao (its a long story)

[@DieFlabbergast]

"one" ... "their"?? = "One could spend years in one's own backyard..." OR "You could spend years in your own backyard..." Or (with plural nouns) "Gardeners can spend years in their own backyards..." This has been a public service announcement. Thank you.

[@carpo719]

@@DieFlabbergast really? Is that where your mind goes? To being the grammar police? I figure anybody with half a brain knows what I'm talkin about. It's pretty sad that people like you exist on the internet. nobody cares about your Corrections, keep it to yourself. But if it makes you feel like a big smart guy, go for it. Everybody needs to feel special. All those big words you learned in college are serving you well :D

[@acceptable1000]

Damn Carpo its cool to see you here, I clicked on a link to this video from a forum and here you are!

[@carpo719]

@@acceptable1000 what's up my friend?

[@anthropomorphisis]

Soil is SO fascinating. And beautiful, as it turns out.

[@ponyfucker3427]

I just toke the hugest shit and it feels wonderful.

[@cleanerben9636]

The music in these episodes makes me happy.

[@sarasmr4278]

His voice in these episodes makes me happy. I wish he'd do it for like an hour and I could fall asleep to it.

[@DieFlabbergast]

It's played by an orchestra of microorganisms (greatly amplified).

[@Life_42]

Amazing music! I agree 100%!

[@ChiyokoMcNair]

This channel, your pacing, the music (sounds like the sounds of this micro world, all bouncy and random and fragile), all amazing. Very much love ❤️

[@ozarkhippie]

Excellent video for those new to organic horticulture. As well as explaining what "living soil" is and how important it is for so many reasons.

[@rotifer]

*And so, be mindful to watch your step, humble humans. We microbes are living our best lives underfoot... Literally!*

[@carlosandleon]

Alright, let me just levitate over the floor then, got you fam.

[@parallellia1509]

Micro... Computer ?

[@debashishmoitra2924]

Gotchu homie .......btw do you guys get squished by us tho…?

[@comicsansgreenkirby]

Why is it always *bold?*

[@verahabanera]

Yes!!!! More soil microbes, PLEASE! Make dirt appreciation widespread

[@coachhannah2403]

As my mother used to say: “Go outside and play in the good, clean dirt.” Big reason I have a vigorous immune system today!

[@coachhannah2403]

@Jamilah Toenailkilla - Bingo!

[@KonradvonHotzendorf]

And worms😂🤗🐛

[@coachhannah2403]

@@KonradvonHotzendorf - You mean "...and eat worms!"

[@TheButtDepot]

The smooth, dulcet tones of Daddy Hank make everyday a great day.

[@jesterking5417]

I can't believe that this channel grew so much I was subscribed to this when itwas less than 250 subscribers because of my project in microbiology After that i never used utube and now when i looked this channel grew soo much

[@jonathankreamer]

Thank you guys for taking the time to illuminate the microcosms all around us. Video suggestion: I like making lacto-fermented foods, it would be really cool to see what is actually happening on a micron scale. James, you should document the stages the lactic-acid bacteria, LABs, go through as they breakdown the food. You could even use a kombucha SCOBY -- symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast -- to see how they convert starter tea and sugar into kombucha and the SCOBY structure If you want more detail, let me know. Thanks!

[@jonathanorlando1294]

I absolutely love this channel. Rhizosphere is a new "smart" word to insert into casual conversation about plants.

[@jamesdriscoll9405]

$1 says less than a year until it's appropriated by marketing.

[@cinderball1135]

7:15 - Dang nature, you metal.

[@Nuthin141]

My favorite series so far on KZbin. I got really into the world of microecology last year and devoted myself into purchasing a pretty nice AMOX to observe specimens that I stumble upon in day to day activities. When Hank launched this channel around the same time I realized we both were influenced by the spectacular wonder these microscale environments can induce. Thank you for your efforts with James to create these beautiful videos! Music is perfect as well!

[@allonesame6467]

Teaming With Microbes Dr Elaine Ingham💚

[@Jibberellin]

that was brilliant. i've been seeking more information for years about how plant roots take in nutrients from the soil, and your explanation really nailed it! of course, some 95% of plant mass derives from the carbon dioxide in the air, but that more-complicated 5% from the ground is the tricky part. i had no idea microbes played such a vital role. kudos to your fine channel.

[@spiercephotography]

Hooray, thank you for this video! I just finished planting my garden this morning, so it's SO fitting!

[@BaronVonQuiply]

Happy gardening =)

[@spiercephotography]

@@BaronVonQuiply Thank you! I'd share some tomatoes with you if I could. Gonna have a ton extra :D

[@domingoblond]

@@spiercephotography We also have them by tens of kilos lol, boiling them into mash called Šaša or Salsa, alongside with seasoning herbs and salt paper garlic etc, freezing them and using all winter :D i loove it over the spaghetti with grated parmesan cheese!

[@FoxymateStudios]

Please learn more about me. love you

[@Kansas_Joel_]

Thank you for your videos! I love your work!

[@PMauvais]

A really good episode. I like how it covers the macro scale as much as the micro, discussing the environment just as much as what's living in it.

[@parrotbird7900]

Here before rotifer makes some clever comments

[@magnuspeacock5857]

When have they ever made a clever comment?

[@BeamingSplendor]

This is why I subscribed to your channel. I was waiting for you to make a video correlating fungi and bacteria with plants. Please make more videos like these!

[@Neloish]

This is my new favorite channel on KZbin, keep up the amazing work.

[@13catfishswim]

This is my favorite video so far!! I hope you do more terrestrial Microcosmos in the future.

[@Ragnarly970]

Recently found you guys and have to say I am immensely impressed, as well as enjoying your approach to these videos. Such a fascinating subject told very well. Kudos guys and keep it up!

[@mjohnson5030]

Love your channel. You should collaborate with Tier Zoo, make a microcosm Tier list for different biomes.

[@dinofirechief40]

So pretty. Thank you supporters that make this channel possible and thank you to the team that brings this to us. You do such a great job of bringing the wonder and majesty that exists everywhere but is so easily overlooked.

[@brianna5255]

I love this channel ur vids are so calming. They help me chill out before bed!

[@undertyped1]

4:15 I can imagine a big neon sign on the plant roots saying: FREE OXYGEN, GET IT HERE FIRST!

[@recklesflam1ngo968]

This channel is an absolute gem

[@joaopedroferrari9120]

This channel is just everything

[@viralp6624]

What a videos u are making I am so amazed!!!

[@TheogRahoomie]

Love getting an insight into what’s going on in my gardens and lawn.

[@redtukeguy4263]

Another excellent video. Hit it out of the park again :)

[@christophern7921]

This channel is so awesome

[@dangates5095]

Fascinating and well done.

[@edwardlulofs444]

Thanks. Another great video

[@HaloHeathen]

I love watching right before bedtime, I always fall right to sleep! I meant that in a good way, it's cause your voice is so soothing.

[@iliketurtles6777]

I really love your videos and curiosity you share with us. Thank you

[@KY_CPA]

This is one of my favorite videos so far! (Maybe second only to tardigrades. Great job again

[@faisalahmed4310]

Thank you very much for the wonderful work

[@eeeehale]

This was a nice change of pace. I would love to see you tackle extremophiles next... or eventually.

[@DJ-st6qk]

Just lovely! And again, you are talking about bacteria and germs! ❤️

[@RoxaneJ14]

Never been happier to see a sponsorship. Good for you guys ♥

[@gardenwithsufian6845]

I'm a gardening enthusiast so this was really interesting to me!

[@BCwell2010]

Such a soothing voice

[@Efemral]

TIL plants have a digestive system with microbes and a kind of gut... 0.0 ~ this is why I love this channel. A whole new pocket of science to discover.

[@christianheichel]

I would love to have some of those videos as a screensaver or something to play when I'm going to bed

[@brewhog]

If you subscribe to their patreon, you get a bunch of videos that are very long, non-narrated versions of these videos with the music you come to expect from this channel. It's well worth it.

[@HayTatsuko]

The hills have eyes... and cilia... and pseudopodia... and _rhizospheres_ -- thanks for that new word!

[@jerrymuns]

I love this channel!!!

[@gameslinger589]

Awesome episdoe

[@pariodeusex]

wow! 6 months ago I suggested doing a video on exudates and plant/bacteria relationships and low and behold here it is! Funny you should show a tractor plowing a field as this is the main activity that destroys those relationships by slicing everything up, releasing carbon and harming the soil. For a future video you might want to explore how organic vs chemical farming cultivates or destroys the microbiota that we all rely on.

[@unknownuser2897]

Nothing helps me relax from a stressful day (and learn while doing it!) quite like Journey to the Microcosmos. Keep up the good work, guys!

[@joanneoliver8610]

...And this is why I love Tuesdays. Keep up the great work. :)

[@nariu7times328]

this is such an amazing channel

[@BaronVonQuiply]

00:00 You're welcome =) 00:01 Oh.. ='(

[@sarasmr4278]

Me too :/

[@jonathanorlando1294]

@@sarasmr4278 and Baron von Quiply, "Thank you" :) Maybe read that in your head with the voice of Hank...?

[@h.plovecat4307]

Same.

[@77Sofiah]

xD

[@hattron6704]

LMAO

[@blueberrychocolate4238]

This is amazing!

[@namenameson8353]

I love this show

[@Joseph-vh5fh]

IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL! And right there, in the dirt.

[@BigMacBook1300]

Love your work as I’m a Gardner and this is the truth.

[@cindymartinvazquez1206]

Love your content

[@robynstopped]

I love the episodes where you explain the micro environment and how microbes interact with their environment.

[@Brian-ti6tt]

Some ASMR energy here... some creators are starting to understand that we're sick of being shouted at. :)

[@MrGX200]

Fantastic. ♥️

[@HShango]

how do y'all get the colours so well done and my goodness the quality of it as well is fantastic.

[@falb5659]

thank you patreons

[@otakuman706]

Hank is really nailing the narration. I always enjoyed the content (here+ scishow etc.) and Hank is always a good host/narrator, but this one had some particularly nice bits imo. Definitely works, and seems to fit right in with well known, longer lived nature/science documentary narrators. Bravo. And the content in general, as always, is fantastic as well. Absolutely love it- though in honesty, I am biased as microbiology was my focus 😂 Keep up the great work folks, it's especially appreciated in these.... Unique times🍻

[@isg9106]

I need more Microcosmos in my life!

[@russel9083]

Horticulturist just having a plantgasm here... I've always thought you had a great way of explaining thing, but dang, never would have realized you have a soothing voice, too! 😂

[@_ninthRing_]

I love this show. Each episode divulges enticing tidbits from our wondrous scientific repository of knowledge, just enough to whet our appetites for scientific discovery (while not committing the sin of dumbing-down the data). This episode opens up an entirely new chthonian universe from the previous microcosm of freshwater ponds & lakes. The subterranean vastness of the living soil beneath our feet & the intriguing *Rhizospheres* & *Microbiome* surrounding the root systems of plants (each a tiny unique ecosystem of it's own). We've only just (in the last few decades) discovered the staggering extent that plants in forests actually *_talk_* with one another (and even other organisms!) below ground, with some trees spreading messages across hundreds of kilometres of forest through the vast *Mycelium* (fungi filament) networks which (unbeknownst to mere humans) dominate the world below. Remember, largest single (non clonal) terrestrial organism ever discovered in *Earth is a humongous *Honey Fungus **_(Armillaria solidipes)_* over *5km* across that was found in *Oregon.* This underground environment can both be profoundly influenced by the surface macroverse world & remarkably influence it in term. Without the chemosynthesis being performed by bacteria, fungi & lichens, both plants & animals may never have been able to leave the seas to colonise the land aeons ago. It's this ongoing process which converts water, air, minerals, sand, plant lignins & other detritus into the rich mixture we call soil. There are entire vibrant economies (actually trading nutrients) between multiple species of fungi, benevolent microbes & even other species of plants going on beneath our feet - and at scales which even rival our agriculture!

[@Life_42]

I love the music!!!

[@lousielouise8716]

I kept waiting for Hank to say “The soil... it’s alive!” but that is not soothing vibes

[@jorgemoramuoz8067]

This is a beautiful channel, indeed.

[@sarah3796]

Incredible 🌿🥰

[@ayishamohammed4173]

Fascinating 😊😊😊

[@ruvenberger5979]

John im a big fan! Your'e doing amazing job here as you did in Crash Course and the fault in our stars, keep it up man!

[@alicianoriegavelasco6114]

Um, this is his brother, Hank... They co own and co founded Complexly, the production company that does everything from this to Crash Course, to Scishow, to How to Vote in Every State.

[@ruvenberger5979]

@@alicianoriegavelasco6114 WHAAAT! get out of here! they sound just the same

[@linefortier8595]

I loved this video, it's beautiful and interesting. A light in my life...(because a lot of things)

[@nuckingfuts27]

please do more soil science vids love ur channels

[@jagardina]

I've been spending a lot of time in the garden. Mostly getting rid of weeds. Apparently my soil is awesome because weeds just spread like wildfire if I don't do anything. This was very interesting and enlightening.

[@lemmingscanfly5]

“The Rhizosphere” should be a big city hidden beneath a giant plant in like an Elder Scrolls game or something.

[@missseaweed2462]

Aw that sounds awesome.

[@thomasberry3364]

Understanding how to interact with the microbial world would mean so much for human progression, this video is making me hyped!

[@cuttwice3905]

I enjoy learning about mycorrhizal communities.

[@ninja250r2008]

I have a biological filter for my pond. It's full of plants in dirt in pots on top of sponges. Keeps the water crystal clear. Would love to see the microorganisms that live there!

[@element4studios]

The Rhizosphere sounds like a Marvel Movie, but it is marvelous. Thank you for the video!

[@AR15andGOD]

wow even dirt is fine tuned!!!

[@unvergebeneid]

There is sooooo much we have yet to learn about the relationship between plants and bacteria, fungi, other plants, and even other plants _through_ fungi!

[@Crocy]

This is so cool 😍

[@shiddy.]

very good

[@Beryllahawk]

So everything is connected on the smallest of scales. What a lovely thought that is, that life really is a tapestry, interwoven and complex and difficult to understand.

[@imogenbespokesewing2968]

Thanks guys . X

[@stephenz7238]

I’m accepted into a uni biochem course for fall 2020 and I really wanted to do something microbiology related. I’ve always been fascinated with the microcosmos and your channel really inspired me but sadly I’m not able to get an elective in microbiology and immunology due to my course sequence. I’m happy to settle for this though

[@donarnold8268]

Thank You! Posting on Facebook!

[@mpice2666]

Don’t! Just link to it on Facebook! Please?

[@tippib2222]

Fun thing about those nodules on legume roots is they contain the legume version of hemoglobin.