| Popis: |
Biochar fragments are found in many tropical soils as a result of natural burning and anthropogenic activities. Such fragments are common constituents of soil organic matter, which can act like sorbents of soluble organic compounds and are involved in the retention of water in soil systems. In addition, biochar may play an important role as host for soil microorganisms. Microbial studies regarding biochar require molecular techniques such as next-generation sequencing. Recent studies demonstrate the importance of biochar as an ecological niche for survival of unique bacterial and archaeal species, along with functional populations like hydrocarbon degraders. Thus, besides the importance of its physical and chemical properties as a soil amendment, biochar can potentially host important microbes with biological implications on global biogeochemical cycles, as well as promoting sustainability and fertility to soils. This chapter explores these concepts but with Amazonian Dark Earths as a specific example of a biochar-impacted ecosystem. |
