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.

1. The management of organic matter in tropical soils: What are the priorities? C. Martius, et al. 2. The role and function of organic matter in tropical soils; E.T. Craswell, R.D.B. Lefroy. 3. Soil organic carbon sequestration in tropical areas. General considerations and analysis of some edaphic determinants for Lesser Antilles soils; C. Feller, et al. 4. (Tropical) soil organic matter modelling: problems and prospects; H. van Keulen. 5. The role of soil microorganisms in soil organic matter conservation in the tropics; D.S. Powlson, et al. 6. SOM management in the tropics: Why feeding the soil macrofauna? P. Lavelle, et al. 7. Management of organic matter in the tropics: translating theory into practice; C.A. Palm, et al. 8. Critical aspects of organic matter management in the tropics - example India; J.C. Katyal, et al. 9. Problems with and local solutions for organic matter management in Vietnam; N. The Dang, C. Klinnert. 10. Organic matter turnover and management in low input agriculture of NE Brazil; H. Tiessen, et al. 11. Management of soil organic matter in semi-arid Africa for annual cropping systems; F. Ganry, et al. 12. Soil management under no-tillage systems in the tropics with special reference to Brazil; P. Machado, C.A. Silva. 13. Soil organic carbon management for sustainable land use in Sudano-Sahelian West Africa; A. Bationo, A. Buerkert. 14. Soil organic carbon (SOC) management for sustainable productivity of cropping and agro-forestry systems in Eastern and Southern Africa; S. Nandwa. 15. Organic matter management for soil conservation and productivity restoration in Africa: a contribution from Francophone research; E. Roose, B. Barthes. 16. Preserving tropical soil organic matter at watershed level. A possible contribution of urban organic wastes; C. Binder, N. Patzel. 17. Social, economic and policy dimensions of soil organic matter management in sub-Sahara Africa: challenges and opportunities; E.T. Ayuk. 18. Farmer''s view on soil organic matter depletion and its management in Bangladesh; M.Z. Hossain. 19. Farmers'' perceptions and management of soil organic matter - a case study from West Africa; C. Quansah, et al. 20. Organic matter management in family agriculture of semiarid Paraiba, Brazil; L.M. da Silveira, et al. 21. Organic soil fertility management in family agriculture of Zimbabwe; H. Tiessen, et al. 22. Terra-Aqua Vitae: The role of land and water in supporting civilization; D. Hillel.