Soil Processes and Humus (52 KB)
Most of us will agree that the soil is the major natural resource available to humankind. Yet it is, and has been abused by us to the point of self destruction. The natural life cycle of agricultural lands must be kept functional through the addition of organic matter after the residues from the previous crop have been depleted in order to build new biological and mineral nutrition for our next crop. This action cannot be replaced with the water soluble salts or overdoses of chemical fertilizer which destroy soil life, not build it.

Organic is not Enough (80 KB)
This paper covers issues on soil healthy management and food production and was a presentation by Gary L. Kline in 2005.

Organic Matters (52 KB)
The carbon hidden away in soil is the unglamorous and often forgotten part of the carbon cycle yet soil organic matter is the key to healthy soils and agricultural productivity and also represents a natural way to sequester the CO2 that causes global warming, so researchers are seeking ways to counter its remorseless decline in Australian farmlands. It's an important quest because, without organic matter, soil is essentially sterile.

Managing the Carbon Cycle (36 KB)
This paper was prepared by Dr J Schooneveldt of Healthy Soils Australia and is a response to papers and information presented at the National Forum on Managing the Carbon Cycle held in Queanbeyan on 22-23 November 2006.

Calculating effects of organic matter on soil water and nutrients (245 KB)
The benefits of increasing soil organic matter include carbon sequestration and an increase in the capacity of the soil to store water and nutrients. However, estimates of the level of potential benefits differ considerably. The calculations are straight forward for carbon but for water storage there can be no definitive answer. The calculations are examined and the general levels of benefits identified for different soils.