Why aerate / decompact soil?

For any plant (on land, apart from two species), its association with Soil Biology helps ensure it is healthy and resilient. For Soil Biology to be working effectively, one of the main pre-requisite is an aerated soil.

Without spaces within the soil, Soil Biology cannot thrive (a compacted soil will also not allow moisture to drain (or roots undertake their vital gaseous exchange)).

There is a misunderstanding that aerating/decompacting will create a healthy soil. It should create a better environment for Soil Biology, but without applying Soil Biology when aerating/decompacting this will not be optimal for the lawn/shrubs/trees.

Aerating / decompacting a soil to help a lawn/shrub/tree, on its own is treating the symptom of no / poor Soil Biology, not the cause.