Protecting Soil from the Sun

Land that Drinks in the Rain (3/3)

Just like mulch in a garden, dead plant material in a Diverse Native Grassland helps to protect the soil and retain moisture. This soil armor keeps direct sunlight off of the soil, thus keeping it cooler, reducing evaporation, and promoting soil health and microbe function. Elizabeth Steele shares her observations about how native plants can form a layer of mulch for soil protection.