ABSTRACT: Every factor that has a negative impact on soil microorganisms sooner or later will reflect in a deterioration of soil chemical and physical properties specially, those related to soil organic matter losses. This paper was based on a talk presented at "The International Symposium of Indicators of Soil Quality" held on Marco Juarez-Argentina. Some of the aspects related to the concept of soil quality and biological indicators of soil quality, were reviewed. Results of the studies related to the characterization of soil microbial biomass, respiration and enzymes activities on different agroecosystems of the Cerrado region also are presented. Soil microbial biomass, microbial respiration, and the activities of soil enzymes (acid phosphatase,... |