Natural and managed soil structure: On the fragile scaffolding for soil functioning

Soil structure in natural systems is a product of complex interactions between biological activity, climate and soil minerals that promote aggregation accumulation biopores. In arable lands, the management often requires mechanical fragmentation hardened to improve seedbed, control weeds bury plant residue. Despite difficulties defining quantifying structure, its critical role evidenced by loss productivity when perturbed (e.g. compaction) long history tillage agriculture. To overcome persistent ambiguities among scientific disciplines regarding definition function we propose framework for distinguishing managed based on their different formation processes functions. Natural preserves ecological order legacy promotes biopore reuse, stabilizes foodwebs protects organic carbon (SOC). The contribution net primary lands forming makes it useful (surrogate) metric structure. benefits crops are quantified indirectly via comparisons with no-till farming under similar conditions. levels trends SOC metrics status systematic consideration state using suitable prerequisite rational decisions related land ensuring sustainable functioning fragile central resource such as soil.