1. Natural soil functions as habitats:

•   Ensuring the preservation of soil as a natural habitat for various organisms.

•   Protecting the biodiversity and ecological balance within the soil.

2. Filtering and buffering:

•   Maintaining the ability of soil to filter and purify water, removing pollutants and contaminants.

•   Preserving the soil's capacity to buffer against excessive water runoff and erosion.

3. Natural substance breakdown and decomposition:

•   Preserving the soil's ability to break down organic matter and decompose waste materials.

•   Facilitating nutrient cycling and ensuring the availability of essential elements for plant growth.

These soil functions are closely linked to soil use and usage functions, particularly in relation to agricultural practices:

•   Protecting soil functions is crucial for sustainable farming practices.

•   Ensuring that soil remains fertile and productive for crop cultivation.

•   Preventing soil degradation and erosion caused by intensive farming methods.

•   Soil moisture is the water content of the soil, which can be measured using in situ probes or remote sensing methods.

•   Water in the soil can be removed through runoff, drainage, evaporation, or transpiration.

•   Water is essential for plant growth as it makes up a large portion of the plant's protoplasm, is necessary for photosynthesis, carries nutrients throughout the plant, and provides turgidity.

•   Water can dissolve and re-deposit minerals and organic solutes in the soil through leaching.

•   Water moves in the soil due to gravity, osmosis, and capillarity.

•   The rate at which soil absorbs water depends on its conditions, and not all soil water is available to plants.

•   Plant roots seek out water and grow in moister soil microsites but can also remoisten dry parts of the soil.

•   Insufficient water can damage crop yield.

•   Soil water is important for climate modeling and can be measured using various techniques, including sensors and satellite imagery.