Living soil is soil treated as a functioning biological ecosystem, rather than simply an inert material that holds plant roots and receives fertiliser.

In simple terms, it contains a community of living organisms—especially bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoa, nematodes and other soil animals—that interact with one another, plant roots, organic matter, water and minerals. These organisms decompose organic material and transform nutrients into different chemical forms, helping regulate nutrient availability, carbon cycling and soil structure. 

 

A useful analogy

 

Think of soil as a city:

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• Plants are major energy producers, supplying carbon compounds to the soil through their roots.

• Microbes are the workers and recyclers, breaking down organic materials and transforming nutrients.

• Fungi can form partnerships with plant roots, sometimes helping plants acquire nutrients and water.

• Soil animals help move and process organic matter.

• The soil structure is the infrastructure: pores and aggregates control the movement of air, water and nutrients.

 

A healthy soil ecosystem is therefore not just about how much nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium is present. It is also about the biological processes that make nutrients available, retain carbon, build structure and help plants cope with stress. 

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