Soil organisms such as bacteria and fungi release enzymes into the soil to break down substances for food. While bacteria can only release one type of enzyme at a time, fungi have the ability to produce and release a variety of enzymes at the same time. This diversity of enzymes released can sometimes have the ability to break down environmental pollutants such as pesticides.

Soil organisms help to aerate the soil by creating glues(bacteria) that create aggregates. Those aggregates are then further held together by fungi. More aeration is created by protozoa and nematodes moving throughout the soil