New research indicates that soil, often overlooked as just 'dirt', is teeming with life, hosting around 59% of all known species, from tiny bacteria to giant redwood trees. This finding, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, doubles previous estimates of soil biodiversity. Historically, quantifying the exact number of species in soil has been challenging, with past estimates suggesting only 25%. This recent study, encompassing various research methods and even considering viruses, underscores the ecological richness of soil. Mark Anthony, a co-author of the study, emphasized the significant effort involved in this research due to the vast diversity of life forms in soil. The findings serve as a reminder of the need to appreciate and protect this vital resource.