Figure 2. Losses of soil organic matter (SOM) and soil organic carbon (SOC) at local, regional, and global scales drive changes in the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of the soil environment, ultimately leading to soil biodiversity loss. Declines in SOM are particularly detrimental to biologically mediated soil functions, including carbon and nutrient cycling, moisture retention, and maintaining soil structure. Key chemical attributes of SOM include maintaining cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, nutrient availability, and oxygen levels; physical attributes include moisture retention, the creation of diverse pore sizes, erosion resistance, temperature regulation, and soil structure. SOM also forms the biological foundation of the soil food web. Hence, the preservation of SOM content and composition plays a key role in supporting, conserving, and promoting soil biodiversity.