This review article by Griffiths and Philippot explores the resistance and resilience of soil microbial communities in response to environmental disturbances and changes. The authors highlight the importance of understanding these processes to maintain soil functions and ecosystem stability. They discuss the underlying mechanisms of soil biological stability, which are influenced by a combination of biotic and abiotic soil characteristics, including soil structure, aggregation, and substrate quality. The review also examines how resistance and resilience are governed by soil physico-chemical structure and how they vary with different disturbances and soil history. The authors emphasize that soil stability is not solely determined by microbial community structure or diversity but is influenced by a complex interplay of factors. They conclude that soil stability can be a quantitative measure of soil health and provide practical implications for land management practices.This review article by Griffiths and Philippot explores the resistance and resilience of soil microbial communities in response to environmental disturbances and changes. The authors highlight the importance of understanding these processes to maintain soil functions and ecosystem stability. They discuss the underlying mechanisms of soil biological stability, which are influenced by a combination of biotic and abiotic soil characteristics, including soil structure, aggregation, and substrate quality. The review also examines how resistance and resilience are governed by soil physico-chemical structure and how they vary with different disturbances and soil history. The authors emphasize that soil stability is not solely determined by microbial community structure or diversity but is influenced by a complex interplay of factors. They conclude that soil stability can be a quantitative measure of soil health and provide practical implications for land management practices.