ResearchResearchmicroporesmicropores

Chunks of CharChunks of Char

Soil MineralsSoil Minerals

click tocontinue Physical Structure

SpongeSponge

BiocharBiochar

internal storage capacityinternal storage capacitywater absorbtionwater absorbtion

microporesmicropores

SpongeSponge

slow, gradual releaseslow, gradual release

Soil MineralsSoil Minerals

nutrient adsorption: nutrient adsorption: cations & anionscations & anions

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internal storage capacityinternal storage capacitywater absorbtionwater absorbtion

BiocharBiochar

Physical Capacity

Fungi on New Fungi on New CharChar

microporesmicropores

Fungi on 100 Year Old Fungi on 100 Year Old CharChar

biochar is sought out by mycorrhyzal fungi,biochar is sought out by mycorrhyzal fungi,other microbes and plant root hairsother microbes and plant root hairs

residential space for microbesresidential space for microbesnutrient supplies for soil lifenutrient supplies for soil life

SubstrateSubstrate

stable, long-term communitiesstable, long-term communities

Soil MineralsSoil Minerals

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BiocharBiochar

Fungi on 100 Year Old Fungi on 100 Year Old CharChar

Biochar added to soilBiochar added to soilprovides nutrient & water storageprovides nutrient & water storage

for mycorrhizal fungifor mycorrhizal fungi

Hyphae invade biochar poresHyphae invade biochar poresand support spore reproductionand support spore reproduction

Makato OgawaMakato OgawaKansai EnvironmentalKansai Environmental

microporesmicropores

““microbial reefmicrobial reef””Terra PretaTerra Preta equivalent to coral reef in the sea equivalent to coral reef in the sea

SubstrateSubstrate

Soil MineralsSoil Minerals

click tocontinue

BiocharBiochar

biochar is sought out by mycorrhyzal fungi,biochar is sought out by mycorrhyzal fungi,other microbes and plant root hairsother microbes and plant root hairs