A Globally Integrated African Soil Information Service

Lead PI: Pedro Sanchez

Unit Affiliation: Agriculture & Food Security Center

November 2008 - March 2013
Inactive
Africa ; Sub-Saharan Africa
Project Type: Research

DESCRIPTION: The African Soil Information Service will develop norms and standards with consistent case definitions and evaluation criteria for evaluating soil degradation and recovery processes, as well as soil functional properties (nutrient supplying capacity, carbon density, water holding capacity, etc.) that will be consistently applied in Africa and the rest of the world to support policy and action on food and water security, production, and regulating and supporting ecosystem services.

OUTCOMES: The team, including researchers from the Center for International Earth Science Information Network, are expected to establish the Global Digital Soil Map Consortium; develop data management systems for the Internet-based African Soil Information Service and the Global Soil Information Service by expanding existing cyber-infrastructure; develop digital soil maps and a soil health surveillance system for the non-desert portions of sub-Saharan Africa; provide evidence-based soil management recommendations for the region; and build capacity, provide management support, and monitor project implementation.

SPONSOR:

Gates (Bill and Melinda) Foundation

RESEARCH TEAM:

Cheryl Palm, Generose Nziguheba

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY COLLABORATORS:

Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)

KEYWORDS

ecology water security soil functionality food african soil information service (afsis) soil degradation and recovery food security nutrition

THEMES

Stewardship of the planet