Although we have already emphasized that dirt isn’t just dirt, did you know that it also has DNA? It means that the soil you’re walking on can unravel mysteries you’d never even think of. In particular, those related to the study of human evolution.
A recent article published in Science Magazine suggests that DNA from dirt can provide a new perspective on ancient life. And we couldn’t help but share this astonishing news with you. So if you’re as curious about all things dirt as we are, scroll down.
What Is Dirt DNA?
You probably know that DNA is a long molecule that contains genetic blueprints. And while DNA can be found in almost any cell of living things and tell a lot about what the organism is, how it works, and how to make more of it, it can also be found in dirt. But unlike with live organisms, no actual body is needed to extract DNA from dirt.
Even without proper animal or plant remains, researchers could still find dirt DNA and use it to identify such animals as the woolly mammoth, bison, and lemming. How did they manage that? Well, it’s still not 100% clear. The closest guess is that animal feces that might have stayed in the soil contained DNA.
Here’s what Hendrik Poinar, professor of evolutionary genetics at McMaster University in Ontario, shared with CBC News:
“You could identify that woolly mammoths were in that locality where you are standing currently, and horses and potentially animals that weren’t or haven’t been discovered from the paleontological remains.”
Poinar and his team have contributed to the revolutionary study, changing our perception of what animals lived during the ice age and in what ecosystem. For example, those woolly mammoths we mentioned earlier are now believed to have been walking happily a thousand years later than we previously thought.
Another study that examined DNA from the soil of the well-known Denisova Cave found that Neanderthals, modern humans, and Denisovans possibly existed in this cave simultaneously.
So, believe it or not, dirt DNA is real, and who knows how much more will be discovered thanks to it.
How Can Genetic Material From Soil Help Us?
Apart from showing us all the incredible facts and changing how we perceive our home Earth, soil DNA can also help us conduct research more effectively and improve our conservation efforts.
Current researches prove that reviewing DNA from dirt samples can be a much faster, cheaper, and better way to assess biodiversity than more traditional camera traps.
Plus, DNA from soil can help better distinguish genetic differences between species that look very similar or those we had never even identified before. For example, one of the research studies discovered the DNA of the Norway rat in soil samples, proving his species exist in the area for the first time ever. For the context, previous camera surveys couldn’t provide enough information to differentiate between black and Norway rats.
This means, knowing exactly what species we have to protect makes it easier to find more effective ways to prevent their extinction.
Here at EZ Screen, we value dirt and want to help you reap as many benefits from it as possible. That’s why we manufacture powerful topsoil screeners to handle everything from topsoil, gravel, aggregate, and wood chips to street sweepings and more.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help choosing topsoil screening equipment, have any questions about our products, or simply want to discover how you can turn dirt from your yard into high-quality topsoil.
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