Different organism groups in the soil foodweb do the same for soil structure. Bacteria glue the clays, silts and sands together into microaggregates. Microaggregates are bound together by fungal hyphae, root hairs and roots. The structure of the rooms are made by the arthropods, insects and earthworms. Only when all the organisms are present and active can roots and water move into the soil with ease.
Soil compaction is a major disturbance of soil aggregation.
When heavy machinery moves across the soil, the pores and channels within the soil collapse. As the space in the soil is reduced, the organisms living in those spaces are killed. Thus, the force applied, and the strength of the aggregates in the soil determine the extent of damage. Like an earthquake, damage is greater the greater the force of earth movement, and the flimsier the construction of the building. Compaction by a 2 ton truck will be greater than a 1 ton truck.