OBJECTIVE FORESTRY

Detailed explanation-1: -Soil biota includes earthworms, nematodes, protozoa, fungi, bacteria and different arthropods. Detritus resulting from plant senescence is the major source of soil organic carbon. Plant materials, with cell walls high in cellulose and lignin, are decomposed and the not-respired carbon is retained as humus.

Detailed explanation-2: -Organic matter is derived from the breakdown of plant and animal residues by soil organisms such as earthworms, bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. The richest form of organic matter is humus, which is what remains after extensive decomposition of organic matter.

Detailed explanation-3: -Organic matter is primarily made up of carbon (58%), with the remaining mass consisting of water and other nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium.

Detailed explanation-4: -Fresh or decomposing plant and animal matter with identifiable cell structure. Makes up 2–25% of total soil organic matter. Older, decayed organic compounds that have resisted decomposition.

Detailed explanation-5: -Soil organic C regulates critical ecosystem services such as nutrient provisioning, water-holding capacity and soil drainage, soil stability, and greenhouse gas emissions that can mitigate or accelerate climate change (Davidson and Janssens 2006, Jackson et al.