Managing Organic Matter in Tropical Soils: Scope and Limitations
Proceedings of a Workshop organized by the Center for Development Research at the University of Bonn (ZEF Bonn) — Germany, 7–10 June, 1999
Editors: Martius, Christopher, Tiessen, Holm, Vlek, Paul (Eds.)
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- About this book
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Soil organic matter is a reservoir for plant nutrients, provides water-holding capacity, stabilizes soil structure against compaction and erosion, and thus determines soil productivity. All agriculture to some degree depends on soil organic matter. It has long been known that soil organic matter declines when land is taken into cultivation, and that the productivity of new agricultural land is governed by fertility contributions from decomposing natural organic matter. The expansion of agriculture to ever new and more fragile lands, particularly in tropical and developing regions, causes environmental degradation with local effects on soil quality, regional effects on landscape integrity and water quality, and global effects on carbon cycles and the atmosphere.
This book summarizes current knowledge of the properties and dynamics of soil organic matter in the tropics, its role in determining soil quality, its stability and turnover, and the options for management in the context of tropical landuse systems, for a readership of resource scientists, economists and advanced students. Maintenance of organic matter is critical for preventing land degradation. Case studies and practical applications are therefore an important part of the book, as are the exploration of future directions in research and management.
- Table of contents (22 chapters)
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The management of organic matter in tropical soils: what are the priorities?
Pages 1-6
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The role and function of organic matter in tropical soils
Pages 7-18
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Soil organic carbon sequestration in tropical areas. General considerations and analysis of some edaphic determinants for Lesser Antilles soils
Pages 19-31
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(Tropical) soil organic matter modelling: problems and prospects
Pages 33-39
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The role of soil microorganisms in soil organic matter conservation in the tropics
Pages 41-51
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Table of contents (22 chapters)
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Bibliographic Information
- Bibliographic Information
-
- Book Title
- Managing Organic Matter in Tropical Soils: Scope and Limitations
- Book Subtitle
- Proceedings of a Workshop organized by the Center for Development Research at the University of Bonn (ZEF Bonn) — Germany, 7–10 June, 1999
- Editors
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- Christopher Martius
- Holm Tiessen
- Paul Vlek
- Series Title
- Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences
- Series Volume
- 93
- Copyright
- 2001
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands
- Copyright Holder
- Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
- eBook ISBN
- 978-94-017-2172-1
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-94-017-2172-1
- Hardcover ISBN
- 978-1-4020-0455-1
- Softcover ISBN
- 978-90-481-5947-5
- Edition Number
- 1
- Number of Pages
- VI, 236
- Additional Information
- Reprinted from NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS, 61:1-2
- Topics