The mundane wood chip is a good example of example of an insignificant thing causing a positive ripple effect. Wood-chip gardening is becoming popular with small farms and home gardeners. With a several-inches-thick layer of wood chips, the soil retains more moisture and becomes healthier and more capable of successfully growing good food. Wood chips, the castoffs from a tree, are becoming such a valuable commodity that people get on waiting lists to receive a truckload. Layering on wood chips seems ordinary and unnecessary. Why would someone desire tree leftovers for his garden? But the benefits are numerous: https://www.backtoedenfilm.com/best-wood-chips-for-a-garden.html#/.