Under Your Feet

48

GROUND AROUND

THE WORLD

A single country can contain thousands

of different soils. Plants suited to each soil

range from tall trees that look like they have

legs (the walking palm) to squat succulents.

Wetland soils

Peat soils in wetlands

aren’t just home to unique

species of plant. They

store more carbon than

any other soil. If this is

released into the air as a

gas, it traps heat and can

speed up global warming.

Rainforest soils

These are found in

warm regions with plenty

of rainfall. The soil has few

nutrients, but millions of plant

species are found there.

This plant

is often used

to make a

herbal tea.

Carnivorous plants such as

sundews and butterworts

catch flies to eat with

their sticky leaves.

Lobster claw nectar

is a favourite food

of hummingbirds.

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048_049_Ground_around_the_world.indd 48 08/11/2019 15:56