Environmental sensing of ecosystem services for developing climate smart landscape framework to improve food security in East Africa (TAITASMART)
Research summary
The TAITASMART project, a research and development project of the University of Helsinki aims to develop a climate-smart landscape framework in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, to take into account both the needs of climate adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable agriculture supported by ecosystem services. For this purpose, the project will study land cover changes, land-atmosphere interactions, soil-crop system functioning, and climate smart landscapes for sustainable development, and build capacity in climate-smart practices.
Description
Changes in land use and land cover in sub-Saharan Africa due to agricultural expansion, conservation and urban growth have impact on ecosystem services, radiation balance of the land surface, gas exchange, water cycle, habitats and biodiversity. As a consequence, negative changes in food security, livelihoods and climate have been experienced at various scales.
TAITASMART aims to develop a climate-smart landscape framework in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, to take into account both the needs of climate adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable agriculture supported by ecosystem services. For this purpose, the project will study land cover changes, land-atmosphere interactions, soil-crop system functioning, and climate smart landscapes for sustainable development, and build capacity in climate-smart practices.
Through collaboration between earth system, sustainability and agricultural sciences, the consortium targets a framework applicable for scaling-up throughout Kenya and Africa.
More information
Research info
Research title
Environmental sensing of ecosystem services for developing climate smart landscape framework to improve food security in East Africa (TAITASMART)
Research timeline
1.3.2018 - 1.3.2000
Keywords
Capacity Building. Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Ecosystem Services food security Sustainability Development
Region
Africa
Countries
Finland, Kenya
Institution
University of Helsinki
Department of Geosciences and Geography
Helsinki, Finland
Funding instrument
Ministry for Foreign Affairs (ICI, HEI-ICI, N-S-S), Academy of Finland
Head of research
Petri Pellikka
Research team
Petri Pellikka, Laura Alakukku, Timo Vesala
Partners
Taita Research Station of the University of Helsinki in Kenya
Contact information
Petri Pellikka
0504154701
Petri.Pellikka@helsinki.fi
Record last updated
5.11.2018