Arthropods are severely affected. Compaction changes the movement of air and water through soil, and may cause a switch from aerobic to more anaerobic organisms. Cover crops help maintain or build arthropod populations and diversity by reducing the length of fallow periods at the beginning and end of growing seasons. Cover crops also affect the biological habitat by changing temperature and moisture levels. Minimize the use of pesticides All pesticides will impact some non-target organisms.
Pesticides feed some organisms and harm others.
Labels generally do not list the non-target organisms affected by a product, and few pesticides have been studied for their effect on a wide range of soil organisms, so the net effect of moderate pesticide use is not well understood. Heavy pesticide use probably reduces soil biological complexity. Herbicides may not affect many organisms directly, but the weed loss changes the food sources and habitats available to organisms. Improve water drainage Good water drainage improves microbial habitats by increasing oxygen availability. Inorganic fertilizers Fertilizers provide some of the nutrients needed by organisms and will favor those species that can best use these forms of nutrients.