Ben Turner in Soil Pit (IMAGE) Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Caption Soils collected at sites with high and low rainfall make it possible how the presence of water changes the soil microbiome. Ben Turner, staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, in a soil profile pit on Barro Colorado Island in Panama. Credit ²Úâ Usage Restrictions Credit: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.