Britain's army fenced off Salisbury Plain from industrial farming; 143 years on, plants came back fast, but the hidden soil microbes still haven't caught up

Land restoration success is often measured above ground. However, a landmark study reveals that the invisible recovery of soil ecosystems takes over a century. This research highlights that while plants bounce back quickly, soil chemistry and microbial communities lag significantly behind. This has major implications for climate goals and conservation funding, suggesting current restoration timelines are underestimated.