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YES! magazine recently published a review of Judy Schwartz's new book plus some interview excerpts:

by Susan Cousineau

(Instagram @susan.cousineau)

Neal, A. L., Bacq-Labreuil, A., Zhang, X., Clark, I. M., Coleman, K., Mooney, S. J., Ritz, K., & Crawford, J. W. (2020). Soil as an extended composite phenotype of the microbial metagenome. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 10649. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67631-0

 

This paper was a really dense read, but in a nutshell establishes soil as a self-organizing system derived from the interplay of microbial genetics (not just the whole organisms) and soil characteristics, rather than a reducible, mechanical system of many parts. While that may at first glance seem kind of self-evident, here's the peer-reviewed science to back it up.

 

The authors determined that the soil isn't just influenced by microbes; and microbial populations aren't just influenced by soil type, structure, soil organic matter, and so on.

In discussions of regenerative agriculture, soil health, and climate change, it's common to encounter these kinds of questions:

Abe Collins presented at the Grassfed Exchange in February 2018 on Landstream. A great presentation.

Bioprecipitation is about the influence of biology, such as the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae, on rainfall. An introductory video from Cindy Morris. Contains links and references at the end.