The impact ofslash and organic matter on th growth of eucalyptus and soil fertility has been shown in the Pointe-Noire region where the soils are sandy, acidic and very poor. It has been also shown that the availability in mineral nitrogen of sandy soils of this region is the main Iimiting factor of stands. It is therefore important to assess harvesting methods and soil preparation for sustainable management of replanted sites. Thus, an experimentation relating Io this issue was set up in January 1998 in the framework of CIFOR network: management and productivity in tropical forest plantations. Impact on soils and options for management over successive rotations ".