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Why didn’t this 2,000 year old body decompose? - Carolyn Marshall

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TEDEd Animation

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It may not appear very lively six feet underground, but a single teaspoon of soil contains more organisms than there are human beings on the planet. From bacteria and algae to fungi and protozoa, soils are home to one quarter of Earth’s biodiversity. And perhaps soil’s most important inhabitants are its microbes. Carolyn Marshall digs into how soil’s invisible helpers support all life on Earth.

What would be two consequences if organic material - like dead plants and animals - were not decomposed?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Carolyn Marshall
  • Director Thomas Johnson Volda, Ivana Bošnjak
  • Narrator Alexandra Panzer
  • Animator Ivana Bošnjak, Thomas Johnson Volda
  • Storyboard Artist Ivana Bošnjak
  • Art Director Thomas Johnson Volda
  • Compositor Ivana Bošnjak
  • Composer Stephen LaRosa
  • Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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