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Glite Dictionary
belowground

belowground

4.3
Under the ground surface
  • adjective
  • /bɪˈloʊˌɡraʊnd/
translation icon : subterráneo
  • Ecologists have a far better knowledge of aboveground than belowground organisms, yet a large proportion of global diversity exists below ground.
  • belowground diversity
  • belowground organisms
  • belowground taxa

Examples

  • For example, belowground herbivory can equal or exceed aboveground herbivory in effects on plant production.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Fire can also influence belowground carbon stocks.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Functioning sought to address such questions about relationships between aboveground and belowground diversity.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Similar to aboveground plants and animals, belowground organisms are also vulnerable to shifts in winter climate.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The rapid increase in belowground biomass is highly desirable for bare restoration sites.

    Academic text (2001)

  • If this belowground herbivory reduces dominance by strongly competitive species, it could increase plant diversity.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Total biomass was higher for sextets because belowground biomass increased with species richness.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Comprehensive comparisons of diversity in aboveground and belowground taxa are almost entirely lacking.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Diversity in one compartment causes diversity in the other, so that biotic richness is correlated between aboveground and belowground compartments.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Ecologists study belowground habitats to understand how many different organisms live under the soil.

Synonyms

underground
vsbelowground
327 3.0

Beneath the surface of the ground, under soil or rock

focuses on being beneath the ground rather than movement
subterranean
vsbelowground
20 7.4

Under the earth's surface

uses ground as the reference word for the same location
underlying
vsbelowground
16 4.0

Under another thing, often below the surface

refers specifically to being beneath the ground surface
subsurface
vsbelowground
6 6.3

Under the ground or below the top layer of a place

is limited to being under the surface of the ground
subterraneous
vsbelowground
8.8

Existing under the surface of the earth, like pipes or caves

highlights the simple location even when nothing operates there
subterrene
vsbelowground
9.6

Found under the ground and out of sight

focuses on being beneath the ground regardless of activity

How Deep

belowground
4.3
underground
327 3.0

Surface Forms

belowground positive

Morphology

belowground = ground (transparent) = below + ground

The meaning 'beneath the surface' is directly derived from the combination of 'below' + 'ground' in an expected, literal way. [Postprocessing: moved 'below' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Belowground is made of below ('under') and ground ('earth'), so it literally means 'under the ground'. This is why we use it for things that are situated or happen beneath the surface of the ground.