Even tiny arthropods produce fecal pellets that are mixtures of soil and organic matter. These became stable soil aggregates. Fungi and bacteria produce substances that help bind soil particles together and stabilize soil aggregates. Soil organic matter can be physically protected from degradation within stable soil aggregates. D. Plant pest dynamics depend on the whole mix of organisms in the soil.
Some organisms prey on or compete with disease-causing organisms.
Some bacteria release plant growth factors that directly increase plant growth. In arid lands, biological soil crusts seem to be important for all the purposes listed above. They help fix nitrogen, stabilize the soil surface, affect water flow, and prevent the establishment of some exotic plant species. F. Mycorrhizal fungi help plants acquire nutrients from the soil and they help stabilize soil aggregates. G. Resilience is the ability of a soil to recover its functions after a disturbance such as fire, compaction, tillage, etc.