**5. Conclusions**

Our review clearly demonstrated beneficial effects of compost for ecosystem services. In addition, it is a promising tool for sustainable management of natural resources (soils, organic 'waste'. Especially two of the major problems of modern society (anthropogenic greenhouse effect and desertification) could be coped with proper compost technologies. However, as compost has only a moderate SOM reproduction potential, strategies for further optimization are required. These could be applying the *terra preta* concept, especially the integration of biochar into management of natural resources. Recent studies provide optimism for synergistic effects of compost and biochar technologies for ecosystem services and for sustainable management of natural resources including 'organic wastes'.
