Light from the sun's rays warms and energizes all. Soil quality is a measure of how well the soil does what we want it to do. Support plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation. The quality of a soil is an assessment of how it performs all of its functions now and how those functions are being preserved for future use. Soil quality cannot be measured directly, therefore, indicators are used to provide clues.
Indicators are measurable properties of plants and soil.
Measuring the amount of living organisms by counting and identifying what organisms are present. Measuring activity levels of living organisms. Measuring cellular components such as the amounts of biological carbon or nitrogen in the soil. These include tests of organic matter , pH , heavy metals, cation exchange capacity , and others. Soil quality is important for two reasons.