ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with organic matter knowledge and management of tropical soils. Soil scientists are pedo-bio-geoscientists and the principal foci are interactions between soil and other ecosystem components from the local to the global scale and for enhancing ecosystem services. There are numerous ecosystem services provided by soil organic matter (SOM). Establishment of biofuel plantations on degraded/wastelands, and village common land, may be useful in restoring degraded soils and ecosystems, improving the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool, enhancing the environment, and improving the standard of living of inhabitants. C. Feller et al. and Feller measured the effect of organic amendments on total SOC contents and carbon distribution in organic compartments, in a groundnut-millet succession in the sandy soils of Senegal. Mineral fertilization without organic amendments leads to the mineralization of SOM and to a decrease in soil structure, pH, and the attendant decline in agronomic productivity.
