How can we help soil organisms to thrive?

Soil Diary/Forum: What would happen if soil organisms were gone?

Soil organisms fulfil many ecological roles in ecosystems. Their activity and functional diversity are increasingly well studied and understood. But what would happen if soil organisms disappeared from soils? This is not a philosophical question. Soil degradation and soil biodiversity decline are common around the globe, with far reaching consequences for soil organisms, ecosystems and humans. So, let’s start with a thought experiment on the following question: