An important factor influencing the productivity of our planets various ecosystems is the nature of their soils. Soils are vital for the existence of many forms of life that have evolved on our planet. For example soils provide vascular plants with a medium for growth and supply these organisms with most of their nutritional requirements. Further the nutrient status of ecosystems soils not only limit both plant growth, but also the productivity of consumer type organisms further down the food chain. Soil itself is very complex.