This enables the exchange of matter within the ecosystem. To create this extraordinary micro-world, Latimer used a 55-litre glass bottle. He put soil in it, added fertiliser, and then planted a ...

You can learn more about how ecosystems work by creating an ecosystem in a bottle. Start by finding a used bottle or jar. Fill it with soil and plant seeds – then give it a good shake.

The plant inside remains healthy, and the secret behind its survival lies in how the ecosystem was designed. In 1972, Latimer created a small garden inside a 45-liter glass bottle. He added soil ...