Definition

As a physical indicator, soil structure and aggregate stability tend to be correlated with the ability of a soil to provide water and air for roots and soil organisms.

Soil structure is the shape in which soil particles group together and form aggregates. A soil aggregate is made of sand, silt, clay, and also organic material; it may have a variety of different shapes.

Aggregate stability refers to the ability of soil aggregates to resist disintegration when disruptive forces associated with tillage and water or wind erosion are applied.