Healthy soil is an ecosystem in which millions of creatures live and interact. There can be more creatures in a teaspoonful of healthy soil than there are people on the entire planet earth, and contain up to 50,000 different species.
Recent research has revealed complex relations between plants and soil microorganisms that have a significant effect on plant health. Cultivation of healthy soil microbiota can significantly increase garden productivity and resilience.
Basic soil biota analysis can be done by identifying organisms in a soil sample (mixed with water) using a relatively affordable microscope. By comparing organism varieties and density to a soil biota reference one can determine the strengths and weaknesses of the soil and prescribe microorganism inoculants or nutrient re-balancing agents to efficiently improve the soil health.