Browsing by Author "Pell, A. N."

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  • Complexity of coupled human and natural systems
    Liu, J.; Dietz, T.; Carpenter, S. R.; Alberti, M.; Folke, C.; Moran, E.; Pell, A. N.; Deadman, P.; Kratz, T.; Lubchenco, J.; Ostrom, Elinor; Ouyang, Z.; Provencher, W.; Redman, C. L.; Shneider, S. H.; Taylor, W. W. (2007)
    Because of the lack of collaboration between social and ecological scientists, the study of coupled human and nature systems has not been directly studied. This study examines cases on five continents: Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Europe. Each area differs in ecological, socioeconomic, political, demographic and cultural setting. Still, the five studies are similar in that they address complex interactions of human and nature systems, consider and measure both human and ecological components, are composed of interdisciplinary teams, use integrated tools to collect both ecological and human data, and are context specific and longitudinal over periods of time.
  • Reversibility of soil productivity decline with organic matter of differing quality along a degradation gradient
    Kimetu, J. M.; Lehmann, Johannes; Ngoze, S. O.; Mugendi, D. N.; Kinyangi, James M.; Riha, S.; Verchot, L.; Recha, J. W.; Pell, A. N. (Springer, 2008)
    This study investigates the reversibility of soil productivity decline using additions of labile organic matter (green and animal manure) to add nutrients to the soil, and stable organic matter (biochar and sawdust) to stabilize the soil and enhance the soil organic carbon (SOC). The overall goal was to test and compare the impact of these additions on the productivity of crops and to investigate ways to improve soil quality. In western Kenya, agriculture is very important and the use of continuous cropping after forest clearing has greatly affected soil fertility by decreasing the amount of nutrients and carbon in the soil. Restoring the soil organic matter content is essential for maintaining crop productivity in the long-term and creating a sustainable food source in this region.