Technical Abstract: With sustainable agricultural practices becoming an ever-increasing goal of growers and the general public alike, the need for an understanding of the ecology of the soil system is needed. Studies on changing soil ecology with changing tillage are needed to increase our knowledge of soil quality, while minimizing the impact of agriculture on the environment. The soil biota and its ecology are critical to the functioning of any agricultural system. Long-term cultivation has a profound effect on biotic populations, processes and community structure. Growers may increase cropping intensity, experiment with different crop rotations, and introduce new crop species all of which may further alter the soil environment and lead to changes in the soil biota. Thorough examination of soil environmental changes during the transition period is warranted so that growers may successfully reduce tillage, while reducing economic risk. Almost all groups of soil organisms are negatively impacted by soil disturbance. Onl a small portion of the microbial or faunal groups can currently be collected and studied, which provides only a partial picture of the soil communities. Population and process level studies, as well as investigations at the ecosystem and functional level, are needed to develop management systems that include soil biota for successful sustainable cropping systems. Ecological investigations will enhance the understanding of changes that occur with the adoption of reduced tillage and no-till cropping systems so that these systems become increasingly viable.