The researchers studied how different levels of soil moisture affect the ability of soil micro-organisms to handle increased osmotic stress. They tested various New Zealand soils by adding glucose-NaCl solutions and measuring the respiration rate of the microbial biomass. They found that air-drying the soils decreased the respiration response, but didn't affect the survival of the micro-organisms under osmotic stress. Overall, the soils showed similar patterns: a -23 bar osmotic potential reduced respiration by 28-45%, and a -80 bar potential decreased it by 64-86%. The respiration rate of moist soils at -25 bar could predict the response after air-drying.