ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES

In Brazil's dry, thirsty lands, the ground is struggling. Plants are sparse. The soil is tired. But there's a glimmer of hope. People are trying to fix it. And guess what? Tiny bacteria are feeling the difference. These tiny life forms are everywhere in the soil. Some are common. Others are rare. T

Drought is a serious issue. It can mess with plant and soil communities in big ways. Scientists often use rainout shelters to study how drought affects these communities. These shelters block a set amount of rain, while nearby control plots get the usual rainfall. This setup has helped researchers l