Charred vegetation residues derived from natural and prescribed burning play an important role in ecology and soil biochemistry and as an archaeological record. Indeed, vegetation fires shape our Earth and produce charcoal that has been accumulating in sediments and soils since geological times. Nevertheless, only since recently, pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) has received more attention as an important constituent of the slow turnover pool of soil organic matter (SOM). Here, the term PyOM comprises the whole range of pyrogenic organic materials ranging from partially charred material to soot, which constitute the so-called black carbon (BC) continuum. Aside from increasing the overall stability of SOM, the input of ash and charcoal can positively affect nutrient availability and pH, but it can also alter the quality and quantity of SOM. The fertilizing effect of ash was a driving force for our Neolithic ancestors to develop fire-based agricultural practices. The soil conditioning pro ...