Anthropogenic Dark Earths in Africa

Researchers at University of Sussex have won a grant of £366,448.27 from the Economic and Social Research Council to study anthropogenic dark earths in Africa. The research unites ecological anthropologists, historians and soil scientists from the UK, West Africa and the USA, and focuses on research sites in the forest region of Ghana, Liberia and Republic of Guinea. Participant observation and historical research will reveal the processes of carbon enrichment and associated agro-ecological transformation that are significant in West African farming, and how farmers distinguish, value and use these soils. Soil and archaeological analysis will discern how far such soils share characteristics with Amazonian ADE. Findings will support strategies to promote sustainable farming, and strategies to enhance the sequestration of carbon in tropical agro-ecosystems. For more information visit ESRC Society Today.