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Targeted management of organic resources for sustainably increasing soil organic carbon: Observations and perspectives for resource use and climate adaptations in northern Ghana

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Title Targeted management of organic resources for sustainably increasing soil organic carbon: Observations and perspectives for resource use and climate adaptations in northern Ghana
 
Creator Heve, William K
Olesen, J.E.
Chirinda, Ngonidzashe
Adiku, Samuel G.K.
 
Subject adaptation
climate
climate change
soil management
fertilizers
resilience to shocks and crises
spatial database
carbon
organic fertilizers
adaptación
clima
cambio climático
manejo del suelo
abonos
resiliencia frente a impactos y crisis
base de datos espacial
carbono
abonos orgánicos
 
Description Since soil organic matter (SOM) buffers against impacts of climatic variability, the objective of this study was to assess on-farm distribution of SOM and propose realistic options for increasing SOM and thus the adaptation of smallholder farmers to climate change and variability in the interior northern savannah of Ghana. Data and information on spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC), current practices that could enhance climate adaptation including management of organic resources were collected through biophysical assessments and snap community surveys. Even though homestead fields were more frequently cultivated, higher amounts of SOC (15 ± 2 g kg−1) were observed in homesteads when compared to the periphery cropped sections in bushes (SOC = 9 ± 1 g kg−1). Possibly, a combination of household wastes, droppings of domestic animals that are mostly reared in a free-range system, manures applied to crops and cultural norms of chieftaincy, which cause short-term fallowing of homestead fields could account for the differences in SOC. Use of organic resources for soil amendment among farmers was low (31% of interviewed farmers) due largely to ignorance of fertilizer values of manures and residues, traditions for bush-burning and competing use of organic resources for fuels. Our findings suggest a need for effective management practices, training and awareness aimed at improving management of organic resources and, consequently, increasing SOC and resilience to climate-change-induced risks.
 
Date 2016-02-17
2015-09-09T16:30:42Z
2015-09-09T16:30:42Z
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier Heve, William K.; Olesen, Jørgen E.; Chirinda, Ngonidzashe; Adiku, Samuel G.K.. 2015. Targeted management of organic resources for sustainably increasing soil organic carbon : Observations and perspectives for resource use and climate adaptations in northern Ghana. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B. Soil & Plant Science 13 p.
1651-1913
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/68104
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https://doi.org/10.1080/09064710.2015.1081396
 
Language en
 
Rights Copyrighted; all rights reserved
Limited Access
 
Format p. 178-190
 
Publisher Informa UK Limited
 
Source Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B - Soil and Plant Science