Learning objectives

After completing this topic, you will be able to:

• Explain what soil organic matter (SOM) and soil organic carbon (SOC) are, how they relate to each other, and why they are important for soil functions.
• Describe how carbon enters, transforms, and leaves soils through plant growth, microbial activity, and environmental processes.
• Discuss how land management influences soil organic matter and explore strategies to maintain or rebuild it.