WEEK 10-The food web

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Happy Earth Day! The final presentation of this semester was done by Anton Sachs on the paper: Healthy Soil for Healthy plants for Healthy humans, by Heribirt Hirt. Healthy soils for healthy plants for healthy humans[64][72].pdf

Our food web (chain) is very complex. At the very base of it all lies microbes. These microbes supply key nutrients to us both directly as metabolites, and indirectly via plants and animals. Disruption of the soil and water microbiomes by chemicals, such as pesticides, can render those specific areas infertile, or at the very least contaminate the plants and animals that are produced (the food we consume). Changes to the soil microbiome can even alter the taste and smell of our foods.

Contaminated water ways, in the same manner, harm that microbiome,  impacting the surrounding fish and plant life, again altering our food supply. These microbes also help produce the very air we breathe, and as such, their well being and ours are tied together.


Changing the quality of the foods we eat has a direct impact on our health as we ingest harmful chemicals or foods that are depleted of certain nutrients, but there is also an indirect impact via our own microbes. As we change what we feed our bacteria, their diversity and population size changes. At the same time,  the nutrients produced for us by our microbiome are altered. What you put in something impacts what comes out. "Garbage in, garbage out." If you have heard the expression "Eating for two.", we are eating for 2 billion. Our little ones rely on us to provide them with healthy foods, so they may stay strong and take care of us in turn.

In short, be kind to your planet. The care you give is the care you receive.

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