Although micro- and macro-ecology appear to be two aspects of the same discipline, traditionally there has been little crosstalk between the two. Using soil microbial communities, this talk will explore how re-invigorating crosstalk between the two disciplines is mutually beneficial. Soil microbial communities govern many crucial ecosystem functions including plant productivity, nutrient cycling, remediation and climate regulation. Whilst we are rapidly coming to understand how environmental factors influence soil microbial community structure at global and local scales, linking changes in soil community structure to changes in soil community ecology remains a major challenge. Ecological frameworks with a long history of development from macro-ecology can assist microbiologists in moving beyond cataloguing taxonomic and structural changes to interpreting how microbial communities differ from one another in their Ecology. Such understanding is critical for predicting how soil-microbial communities respond to environmental change, how these changes might impact ecosystem function and ultimately harnessing soil biology to improve bioremediation, agricultural and conservation management practices. Conversely, due to the diversity of microbial life strategies, the integration of microorganisms into existing ecological theories can challenge and refine current understanding of ecosystem interactions.