What is soil health defined as?

Soil health is primarily defined as how well a soil can support crop growth without degrading. This encompasses a variety of factors, including the soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties, which together influence its productivity and ecological functions. Healthy soil is capable of sustaining plant and animal life, minimizing environmental impacts, and maintaining or enhancing soil structure, which helps prevent erosion and supports water filtration.

While the ability to retain water, the total amount of organic matter, and pH levels all play important roles in the overall quality of the soil, they are specific attributes rather than a holistic definition of soil health. For example, good water retention aids plant growth, but without other factors like nutrient availability or microbial activity, soil may not be considered healthy. Similarly, organic matter and pH are critical components of soil but do not solely define its health. The definition focuses on the comprehensive ability of the soil ecosystem to function effectively over time, ensuring it can continue supporting agriculture and other uses sustainably.