Consortium leader: Kristina Lindström, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki Consortium partner: Helena Kahiluoto, MTT Agrifood Research Finland Consortium name: Mapping, management and resilience of ecosystem services for food security and response to climate change in Ethiopia (SOILMAN) Abstract: Ethiopia is endowed with a variety of agro-ecological zones that differ in terms of rainfall, soil types, altitude and other physical characteristics. These resulted in rich species diversity including many cultivated and wild plants, and great variation in the agricultural activities carried out in different zones. The country is considered the centre of origin of many cultivated crops and recognized as one of the Vavilovian crop diversity centres. The country is also regarded as centre of diversity for several legumes, and their associated nitrogen-fixing rhizobium bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. However, Ethiopia suffers from land degradation and, as a consequence, insufficient food resources. Climate change imposes a new threat to the already fragile environments. Legumes in symbiosis with appropriate microbes provide important ecosystem services. They can replace nitrogen fertilizer and enhance the uptake of phosphorus. Especially in agroforestry systems they can also increase soil organic carbon stocks to mitigate climate change, simultaneously improving soil fertility and food productivity, and their climate-resilience. The level of awareness of this excellent system in society is however low and the resources are under-utilized. This project will identify properties of soil, symbiotic microorganisms and agroforestry practices which improve the production of ecosystem services (BNF, AM, C sequestration) for food security in a changing climate. Molecular methods will be used for bacterial characterization and accessions deposited in domestic and Finnish collections. Preconditions for socio-economic feasibility of the management practices, including inoculation of legumes, will be investigated, and local and scientific knowledge integrated for successful implementation. The consortium encompasses the best available Finnish and African expertise in these fields. Through the consortium collaboration, novel ways of covering important interfaces between basic research and its applications, which is recognized as being in great demand, will be taken into use. Time span: 1.9.2013-31.8.2017
Vastaava tutkija
Kahiluoto Helena Hankkeen kesto 2013 - 2017
Hankkeen vaihe: päättynyt
HUOM! Tämä tutkimushankekuvaus on tuotettu Hankehaaviin Maa- ja elintarviketalouden tutkimuskeskuksen tutkimustietojärjestelmästä, jota ei enää ylläpidetä. Tarkista ajantaiset tutkimushanketiedot Luonnonvarakeskus Luken järjestelmästä.
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