Embracing complexity: Observational insights into soil biological health and sustainable agriculture

Soil biological health plays a central role in sustainable agriculture, driving critical processes such as nutrient cycling, organic matter formation, water infiltration, and plant disease suppression. Yet, much like human health research – where multifaceted interactions of genetics, lifestyle, and environment make single-factor experiments insufficient – understanding what drives soil biological health requires us to look beyond controlled settings and embrace the complexity of real-world conditions.

In this presentation, I will illustrate how observational studies in agricultural landscapes provide valuable insights into the interplay of management practices, soil organisms, and ecosystem functions. By examining diverse farms across varying climates, soil types, and management intensities, we can better discern which practices bolster soil communities and thereby strengthen ecosystem functioning. Although inherent variability and confounding factors pose challenges, these very complications underscore the need for carefully designed observational work – balancing representativity versus extremes, documenting potential biases, and using robust analytical frameworks to handle complexity.

Drawing on results from recent studies that highlight how different on-farm practices influence soil communities and functioning ^1–4, I will also discuss statistical methods for interpreting observational data in these intricate settings. Concluding with a brief outlook, I will touch on how management indicators, guiding principles of sustainable crop management, and soil biological and functional metrics can further advance our understanding of soil biological health – ultimately guiding more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

 

(1) Garland, G. et al. Crop cover is more important than rotational diversity for soil multifunctionality and cereal yields in European cropping systems. Nat Food 2, (2021).

(2) Edlinger, A. et al. Agricultural management and pesticide use reduce the functioning of beneficial plant symbionts. Nat Ecol Evol 6, (2022).

(3) Edlinger, A. et al. The impact of agricultural management on soil aggregation and carbon storage is regulated by climatic thresholds across a 3000 km European gradient. Glob Chang Biol 29, (2023).

(4) Edlinger, A. & Herzog, C. et al. Compost Application Enhances Soil Health and Maintains Crop Yield: Insights From 56 Farmer‐Managed Arable Fields. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 4, (2025).