Subterranean ecosystems

Subterranean ecosystems are environments that exist beneath the Earth's surface, such as caves, underground rivers, and mineral tunnels. These ecosystems host unique communities of organisms adapted to dark, stable conditions with limited food sources and no sunlight. Creatures like bacteria, fungi, insects, and specially adapted animals thrive here, often relying on nutrients brought in from the surface or produced by microorganisms. Despite their inaccessibility, subterranean ecosystems play vital roles in underground water purification, nutrient cycling, and supporting biodiversity, revealing a hidden world of complex biological interactions beneath our feet.