{"id":296427,"date":"2023-07-20T12:31:13","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T12:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/?p=296427"},"modified":"2024-01-22T15:30:13","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T15:30:13","slug":"role-of-the-substrate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/explore\/academy\/bioactive\/role-of-the-substrate\/","title":{"rendered":"Role of the substrate"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Top Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;8c2f5759-e39a-4cec-a5d2-64746c6df7af&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Header&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;825473c7-d2e9-4615-8ed7-d4d0697bec64&#8243; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;||30px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||30px||false|false&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bioactive_grouped_header-scaled.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;The bioactive terrarium&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Bioactive_grouped_header&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Bioactive Header&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;ad32dbfa-1ab9-4137-bdf3-af6a7dbf8229&#8243; global_module=&#8221;304010&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Breadcrumbs + Title&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;825473c7-d2e9-4615-8ed7-d4d0697bec64&#8243; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|10%||10%|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;|25px||25px|false|false&#8221; global_module=&#8221;269248&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;on&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;9fae118b-3739-4531-9dc2-2637a3c51e1c&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_code admin_label=&#8221;Rank Math Breadcrumbs&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;] <nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_post_title meta=&#8221;off&#8221; featured_image=&#8221;off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Post Title&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font=&#8221;Eurostile Bold|700||on|||||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#606060&#8243; title_font_size=&#8221;1em&#8221; title_line_height=&#8221;1.5em&#8221; custom_css_main_element=&#8221;font-size: calc(1em + 1.5vw) !important;&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_css_main_element_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_css_main_element_tablet=&#8221;font-size: calc(1em + 1vw) !important&#8221; custom_css_main_element_phone=&#8221;font-size: calc(1em + 1vw) !important&#8221;][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;3_5,2_5&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Post Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;825473c7-d2e9-4615-8ed7-d4d0697bec64&#8243; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;9fae118b-3739-4531-9dc2-2637a3c51e1c&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@&#8221; image=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@&#8221; alt=&#8221;Author&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|on|on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Author Box (Mobile)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;title,image,content&#8221; _module_preset=&#8221;fdde59d5-115c-4d85-92e2-c1e994c05aac&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Intro Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;c174e6f1-1e93-406d-aff2-6b6fd44f1af9&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><strong>In a bioactive terrarium, the substrate plays a crucial role in supporting the overall health and functioning of the ecosystem. The term &#8220;substrate&#8221; refers to the material or layer on the floor of the terrarium where plants, microorganisms, and invertebrates reside.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">A healthy bioactive substrate harbours a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and beneficial decomposers. These microorganisms play a vital role in breaking down organic matter, aiding in the <\/span><strong style=\"font-size: 14px;\">decomposition<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"> process, and enhancing nutrient availability. Additionally, some bacteria can form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, facilitating nutrient absorption and providing protection against harmful pathogens.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">The substrate acts as a natural <\/span><strong style=\"font-size: 14px;\">filtration<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"> system by facilitating the breakdown and decomposition of waste materials produced by the inhabitants of the terrarium. Animal waste, uneaten food, and decaying plant matter are broken down by microorganisms in the substrate, preventing the accumulation of toxic substances and promoting a healthier environment for the terrarium&#8217;s inhabitants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Furthermore, it will serve as a <\/span><strong style=\"font-size: 14px;\">reservoir of nutrients<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">, utilised by the plants and microorganisms within the terrarium. Organic matter, such as decaying leaves, plant debris, and animal waste, present in the substrate decomposes over time, releasing essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients are then taken up by plants, promoting their growth and vitality, effectively completing the nutrient cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">The bioactive substrate helps maintain <\/span><strong style=\"font-size: 14px;\">appropriate moisture levels<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"> within the terrarium. It retains water, providing a source of hydration for the plants and creating a suitable microclimate. Additionally, the substrate should have adequate drainage properties to prevent water-logging, ensuring the roots and organisms are not subjected to excessive moisture levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">For the live plants inside the terrarium, the substrate provides a medium for <\/span><strong style=\"font-size: 14px;\">root anchoring and growth<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">. The substrate&#8217;s texture, composition, and structure influence root development, allowing plants to establish a strong foothold and uptake essential nutrients and water.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Overall, a well-designed and balanced substrate is crucial for creating a self-sustaining and healthy ecosystem within a bioactive terrarium. It supports plant growth, nutrient cycling, waste management, microbial activity, and moisture regulation, all of which contribute to the terrarium&#8217;s overall stability and long-term success.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_5&#8243; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;9fae118b-3739-4531-9dc2-2637a3c51e1c&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9mZiIsImxpbmtfZGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJhdXRob3JfYXJjaGl2ZSJ9fQ==@&#8221; image=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@&#8221; alt=&#8221;Author&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Author Box (Desktop)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;title,image,content&#8221; 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encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Post Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;825473c7-d2e9-4615-8ed7-d4d0697bec64&#8243; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;9fae118b-3739-4531-9dc2-2637a3c51e1c&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_wpdt_wc_product_carousel slides_per_view=&#8221;6&#8243; centered_slides=&#8221;off&#8221; categories=&#8221;682&#8243; orderby=&#8221;rand&#8221; order=&#8221;DESC&#8221; post__in=&#8221;0&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Woo Product Carousel  Bioactive&#8221; slides_per_view_tablet=&#8221;3&#8243; slides_per_view_phone=&#8221;2&#8243; slides_per_view_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;3c1cb246-3697-460b-ab95-2abbd9aec4d7&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_wpdt_wc_product_carousel][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Bioactive Journals Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;825473c7-d2e9-4615-8ed7-d4d0697bec64&#8243; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;0px|25px||25px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;|25px||25px|false|false&#8221; global_module=&#8221;296796&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;9fae118b-3739-4531-9dc2-2637a3c51e1c&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text content_tablet=&#8221;<\/p>\n<h1>Bioactive Topics<\/h1>\n<p>&#8221; content_phone=&#8221;Bioactive Topics&#8221; content_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; admin_label=&#8221; Journals Heading&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;410bc243-0c1d-4ec8-ab2b-799dfe5a4eaa&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>Bioactive Topics<\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blog_extras include_categories=&#8221;3026&#8243; blog_layout=&#8221;masonry&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Bioactive Journals&#8221; masonry_columns_tablet=&#8221;3&#8243; masonry_columns_phone=&#8221;1&#8243; masonry_columns_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;abeb973f-6400-4e6b-9b1e-bb5413e63836&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_blog_extras][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Newsletter Registration&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;115df4a4-ad37-4ee8-9b3d-d43e962af6d1&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|0%|75px|0%|false|false&#8221; global_module=&#8221;297001&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Newsletter Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;1ada1a44-b788-4682-8364-7c21878324a2&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|10%|0px|10%|false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;9fae118b-3739-4531-9dc2-2637a3c51e1c&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Stay up on all things Exo Terra&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;410bc243-0c1d-4ec8-ab2b-799dfe5a4eaa&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Eurostile Bold|700||on|||||&#8221; header_2_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||-5px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;15px||5px||false|false&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;35px&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;off|15px|15px||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Stay up on all things exo terra.<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_wpt_gravityform admin_label=&#8221;Gravity Form Newsletter EN&#8221; gravityform_id=&#8221;gf-34&#8243; title=&#8221;off&#8221; description=&#8221;off&#8221; ajax=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;ef21933e-f1b5-454b-a0ed-5331f1759363&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_wpt_gravityform][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a bioactive terrarium, the substrate plays a crucial role in supporting the overall health and functioning of the ecosystem. The term &#8220;substrate&#8221; refers to the material or layer on the floor of the terrarium where plants, microorganisms, and invertebrates reside.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":296911,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3026,3019,3087],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296427"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296427"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296427\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":306879,"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296427\/revisions\/306879"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/296911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exo-terra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}