The main data published in the last 20 years on the ecology of soil mi
croorganisms and their possible importance to the further development
of ecological soil science are analyzed. The contribution of the micro
biota to various biogeocenotic functions of the soil, that is, its rol
e in the cycle of substances, in the supply of nutrients, in the maint
enance of ecosystem stability, and in the ''memory'' of biogeocenoses,
is discussed.