INTRODUCTION
Soil organic matter (SOM) contains more carbon than the atmosphere and terrestrial vegetation combined and therefore plays a crucial role in the global cycling of carbon (Figure 1).
Soil organic carbon (SOC), the primary component of SOM is a dynamic matrix and can be either a net sink or a net source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) depending on its management.
* = Photosynthetic fixation; ‡ autotrophic respiration; † terrigenous carbon; ⱶ Rhizodeposition and necromass;∞heterotrophic respiration; ᶶ land use and land use changes.
