Healthy soils are essential for restoring forests and combatting climate change. In my research, I studied how different methods of replanting and regenerating forests in Brazil affect the recovery of soil life and function. I examined how soil microbes, nutrients, and greenhouse gases change over time in restored forest soils, and how the distance to old-growth forests influences this recovery. I found that allowing nature to regenerate on its own can lead to healthier soils, especially in areas that weren’t heavily degraded. These restored forest soils store more carbon and support greater biodiversity. My study showed that if we want forests to regain their functions, paying attention to what happens below ground is just as important as planting trees above ground.