Soil health
Soil health is the continuing capacity of soil to function as a living ecosystem that supports plants, animals, and people. It reflects how well soil performs functions such as regulating water, cycling nutrients, sustaining biological activity, providing physical support, and filtering pollutants, while retaining those capabilities for future use.
In simple terms
Soil health cannot be captured by one direct measurement. It is assessed through physical, chemical, and biological indicators that reveal how soil functions. Examples include structure, infiltration, bulk density, organic matter, pH, nutrient availability, earthworms, microbial activity, and respiration. The useful indicators depend on soil type, climate, land use, and management, so comparison requires context and repeated observation. Regenerative agriculture may use practices intended to improve soil functions, but adopting a named practice does not by itself demonstrate healthier soil; indicators and outcomes are still needed.
Why it matters
Healthy functioning soil supports food production, water storage and infiltration, nutrient cycling, biodiversity, and resilience to erosion and drought. Declining function can contribute to Land degradation and increase vulnerability to Water stress. Because crop yield alone can hide deteriorating structure or biology, a balanced assessment helps land managers see trade-offs, monitor change, and select practices suited to local conditions.
Example
For example, a fictional farm compares two fields with similar yields. Repeated tests show that one field has better infiltration, more stable aggregates, higher organic matter, and greater biological activity. Those indicators suggest stronger soil function, while the yield result alone would not have revealed the difference.
How it differs
Regenerative agriculture
Soil health describes the condition and functioning capacity of soil; Regenerative agriculture is an approach that may include practices intended to improve soil and other outcomes, which still require measurement.