Important biological attributes of ‘healthy soils ’ are influenced by vigorously growing plants •Soil Microbial Diversity (Biodiversity) •Soil Carbon Content & Quality -- Plant root contributions • (SOM ≈ 58% C) Soil Microbial Diversity (Soil Biodiversity) [biodiversity = most valuable property of any ecosystem; E.O Wilson, 1999] Biodiversity • Provides numerous pathways for primary production and ecological processes (i.e., nutrient cycling) • Many processes require multiple organisms (“Consortia”) for completion • Alternative pathways available if one is disturbed • Ecosystem stability and resistance to stress • Microbial biomass may withstand stress; diversity may be reduced