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Local soil quality assessment of north-central Namibia: integrating farmers' and technical knowledge

Prudat, Brice and Bloemertz, Lena and Kuhn, Nikolaus J.. (2018) Local soil quality assessment of north-central Namibia: integrating farmers' and technical knowledge. SOIL, 4 (1). pp. 47-62.

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Abstract

Soil degradation is a major threat for farmers of semi-arid north-central Namibia. Soil conservationpractices can be promoted by the development of soil quality (SQ) evaluation toolboxes that provide ways to evaluate soil degradation. However, such toolboxes must be adapted to local conditions to reach farmers. Based on qualitative (interviews and soil descriptions) and quantitative (laboratory analyses) data, we developed a set of SQ indicators relevant for our study area that integrates farmers’ field experiences (FFEs) and technical knowledge. We suggest using participatory mapping to delineate soil units (Oshikwanyama soil units, KwSUs) based on FFEs, which highlight mostly soil properties that integrate long-term productivity and soil hydrological characteristics (i.e. internal SQ). The actual SQ evaluation of a location depends on the KwSU described and is thereafter assessed by field soil texture (i.e. chemical fertility potential) and by soil colour shade (i.e. SOC status). This three-level information aims to reveal SQ improvement potential by comparing, for any location, (a) estimated clay content against median clay content (specific to KwSU) and (b) soil organic status against calculated optimal values (depends on clay content). The combination of farmers’ and technical assessment cumulates advantages of both systems of knowledge, namely the integrated long-term knowledge of the farmers and a short- and medium-term SQ status assessment. The toolbox is a suggestion for evaluating SQ and aims to help farmers, rural development planners and researchers from all fields of studies understanding SQ issues in north-central Namibia. This suggested SQ toolbox is adapted to a restricted area of north-central Namibia, but similar tools could be developed in most areas where small-scale agriculture prevails.
Faculties and Departments:05 Faculty of Science > Departement Umweltwissenschaften
05 Faculty of Science > Departement Umweltwissenschaften > Geowissenschaften > Physiogeographie und Umweltwandel (Kuhn)
UniBasel Contributors:Kuhn, Nikolaus J. and Bloemertz, Lena and Prudat, Brice
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Copernicus Publications for European Geoscience Union
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Language:English
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Last Modified:02 May 2018 07:49
Deposited On:02 May 2018 07:40

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