200-100 mya of soil evolution

Soil story flies

200-145 (Jurassic) 150 - 100 (Early Cretaceous)

This is when soil as we know it appears. The earthworms arrived and oribatid mites developed to break down detritus into humus. This helps build bigger soil particles enabling more pores for life and water control favourable for insect larvae whose adults could now take off.

Vegetation

100my

Roots

Flowering plants, Angiosperms, relying on flying insects

Broad leaves

Minerals

Roots developed relation with Ectomycorrhiza

Podzols appear

Biological Soil Crust

Animals

Earthworms -move in deep

Higher oribatid mites

Earwigs

Rove beetles

Woodlice

Worms move up to surface

Ants Eating Oribatids

We take this process of humification for granted, yet it hadn't been widespread before. This completed the process of decomposition, which previously had consisted mainly of mineralisation and de-lignification. It meant that nutrient recycling was more profound enabling the broad-leaved plants to grow more - and produce flowers.

Short Story Links

To find out a bit more about these periods 200mya and 150mya

Full Story

200-145 (Jurassic)
150 - 100 (Early Cretaceous)

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