[Terrapreta] 80 degrees Fahrenheit

[Gerald Van Koeverden]

Thanks to whoever suggested buying Nardi's "Life in the Soil: a guide  
for naturalists and gardeners"  I'm really enjoying studying my  
copy.  I graduated in soil science 35 years ago but I've forgotten  
much of it.  And so much about soil life is entirely new to me.    
Other than a mention of worms, we hardly even considered any of the  
mutlitude of other organisms.  The whole complex web of soil life is  
fascinating.

"Organic matter also decays more rapidly in warmer climates.  When  
temperatures rise above 80F, organic matter actually decays faster  
than it is generated.  That is why practically all organic matter in  
the tropics is found aboveground in the living forest."  (p.32)

I wonder if this is key to understanding why the effect of charcoal  
amendments might turn out to be so much more dramatic in tropical  
than in temperate zones?

gerrit